Rent Affordability for A Firefighter in Maine
A typical firefighter in Maine earns about $58,413 a year, which supports approximately $1,460 a month in rent under the 30% rule. Below, every tracked Maine city is ranked by how local rent compares against that affordability ceiling.
As of May 2026. 2 of 25 cities tracked stay within the 30% rule; 23 are rent-burdened on this salary.
| City↕ | Median rent↕ | % of income↑ | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presque Isle, ME | $1,025/mo | 21.1% | affordable |
| Waterville, ME | $1,377/mo | 28.3% | affordable |
| Lewiston, ME | $1,529/mo | 31.4% | stretched |
| Auburn, ME | $1,581/mo | 32.5% | stretched |
| Bangor, ME | $1,586/mo | 32.6% | stretched |
| Augusta, ME | $1,602/mo | 32.9% | stretched |
| Orono, ME | $1,625/mo | 33.4% | stretched |
| Rockland, ME | $1,688/mo | 34.7% | stretched |
| Sanford, ME | $1,768/mo | 36.3% | stretched |
| Bath, ME | $1,838/mo | 37.8% | stretched |
| Old Town, ME | $1,839/mo | 37.8% | stretched |
| Old Orchard Beach, ME | $1,889/mo | 38.8% | stretched |
| Springvale, ME | $1,895/mo | 38.9% | stretched |
| Biddeford, ME | $2,003/mo | 41.1% | rent-burdened |
| Saco, ME | $2,040/mo | 41.9% | rent-burdened |
| Brunswick, ME | $2,156/mo | 44.3% | rent-burdened |
| Gorham, ME | $2,175/mo | 44.7% | rent-burdened |
| Yarmouth, ME | $2,384/mo | 49% | rent-burdened |
| Portland, ME | $2,438/mo | 50.1% | severely rent-burdened |
| Kittery, ME | $2,495/mo | 51.3% | severely rent-burdened |
| South Portland, ME | $2,611/mo | 53.6% | severely rent-burdened |
| Freeport, ME | $2,658/mo | 54.6% | severely rent-burdened |
| Scarborough, ME | $2,742/mo | 56.3% | severely rent-burdened |
| Falmouth, ME | $3,025/mo | 62.1% | severely rent-burdened |
| Cape Elizabeth, ME | $3,166/mo | 65% | severely rent-burdened |