Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Brunswick, ME?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 43.3% of gross income.
Brunswick rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maine state estimate).
About rent and a firefighter salary
Firefighter base pay plus typical overtime sits modestly above the US median household income, but local rent levels determine whether that translates into affordability or rent burden. At the national-average firefighter base salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,570 a month in rent. The per-city pages compare local rent against local firefighter-pay estimates so renters can see where rent stays in range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Maine cities have lower median rent than Brunswick, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Brunswick
View full rent data for Brunswick, ME →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Brunswick, ME?
Median rent in Brunswick is $2,109 a month. A typical firefighter in Maine earns about $58,413 a year, which makes that rent 43.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Brunswick?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Maine (~$58,413/yr) supports up to $1,460 a month in rent. Brunswick's current median rent is $2,109/mo, which is $649/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Brunswick?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Maine works roughly 75.1 hours a month to cover Brunswick's median rent of $2,109.
Where is rent cheaper than Brunswick for a firefighter?
Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Orono ($2,106/mo), Old Orchard Beach ($2,106/mo), Old Orchard Beach ($2,096/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.