Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Cape Elizabeth, ME?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 59.7% of gross income.
Cape Elizabeth 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 Cape Elizabeth, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Cape Elizabeth
View full rent data for Cape Elizabeth, ME →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Cape Elizabeth, ME?
Median rent in Cape Elizabeth is $2,908 a month. A typical firefighter in Maine earns about $58,413 a year, which makes that rent 59.7% 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 Cape Elizabeth?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Maine (~$58,413/yr) supports up to $1,460 a month in rent. Cape Elizabeth's current median rent is $2,908/mo, which is $1,448/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Cape Elizabeth?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Maine works roughly 103.5 hours a month to cover Cape Elizabeth's median rent of $2,908.
Where is rent cheaper than Cape Elizabeth for a firefighter?
Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Scarborough ($2,870/mo), Scarborough ($2,844/mo), Scarborough ($2,843/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.