Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Waterville, ME?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.6% of gross income.
Waterville 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 Waterville, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waterville
View full rent data for Waterville, ME →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Waterville, ME?
Median rent in Waterville is $1,295 a month. A typical firefighter in Maine earns about $58,413 a year, which makes that rent 26.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Waterville?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Maine (~$58,413/yr) supports up to $1,460 a month in rent. Waterville's current median rent is $1,295/mo, which leaves a $165/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Waterville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Maine works roughly 46.1 hours a month to cover Waterville's median rent of $1,295.
Where is rent cheaper than Waterville for a firefighter?
Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Presque Isle ($1,150/mo), Presque Isle ($1,150/mo), Bangor ($1,081/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.