Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Scarborough, ME?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 52.2% of gross income.

Scarborough rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maine state estimate).

Scarborough median rent
$2,714/mo
Plumber salary (Maine)
$62,403/yr
Rent as % of income
52.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,200, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,560/mo in rent. Scarborough's median rent of $2,714 exceeds that threshold by $1,154/mo, putting a plumber salary into the rent-burdened range here. A plumber works roughly 90.5 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a plumber salary

Plumber pay sits comfortably above the US median household income and covers affordable rent in most US metros. At the national-average plumber salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,678 a month in rent. The per-city pages combine local rent with local plumber-pay estimates so renters can see where the math works.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Maine cities have lower median rent than Scarborough, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Freeport, ME
$2,700/mo (51.9% of income)
Gorham, ME
$2,650/mo (51% of income)
Freeport, ME
$2,648/mo (50.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Scarborough

View full rent data for Scarborough, ME →

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Scarborough, ME?

Median rent in Scarborough is $2,714 a month. A typical plumber in Maine earns about $62,403 a year, which makes that rent 52.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a plumber afford in Scarborough?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Maine (~$62,403/yr) supports up to $1,560 a month in rent. Scarborough's current median rent is $2,714/mo, which is $1,154/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Scarborough?

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a plumber in Maine works roughly 90.5 hours a month to cover Scarborough's median rent of $2,714.

Where is rent cheaper than Scarborough for a plumber?

Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Freeport ($2,700/mo), Gorham ($2,650/mo), Freeport ($2,648/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

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