Can A HVAC Technician Afford Rent in South Portland, ME?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 57% of gross income.

South Portland rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maine state estimate).

South Portland median rent
$2,533/mo
HVAC Technician salary (Maine)
$53,289/yr
Rent as % of income
57%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,441, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,332/mo in rent. South Portland's median rent of $2,533 exceeds that threshold by $1,201/mo, putting a hvac technician salary into the rent-burdened range here. A hvac technician works roughly 98.9 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a hvac technician salary

HVAC technician pay sits near the US median household income and rises sharply with certification and overtime. At the national-average HVAC salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,433 a month in rent.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Maine cities have lower median rent than South Portland, which improves the affordability math on a hvac technician salary:

Freeport, ME
$2,532/mo (57% of income)
Yarmouth, ME
$2,518/mo (56.7% of income)
Kittery, ME
$2,472/mo (55.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for South Portland

View full rent data for South Portland, ME

Frequently asked questions

Can a hvac technician afford rent in South Portland, ME?

Median rent in South Portland is $2,533 a month. A typical hvac technician in Maine earns about $53,289 a year, which makes that rent 57% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a hvac technician afford in South Portland?

Using the 30% rule, a hvac technician salary in Maine (~$53,289/yr) supports up to $1,332 a month in rent. South Portland's current median rent is $2,533/mo, which is $1,201/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a hvac technician work to cover rent in South Portland?

At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a hvac technician in Maine works roughly 98.9 hours a month to cover South Portland's median rent of $2,533.

Where is rent cheaper than South Portland for a hvac technician?

Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Freeport ($2,532/mo), Yarmouth ($2,518/mo), Kittery ($2,472/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a hvac technician salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Maine state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for South Portland, ME. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.