Can A Plumber Afford Rent in South Portland, ME?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.7% of gross income.

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

South Portland median rent
$2,533/mo
Plumber salary (Maine)
$62,403/yr
Rent as % of income
48.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,200, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,560/mo in rent. South Portland's median rent of $2,533 exceeds that threshold by $973/mo, putting a plumber salary into the rent-burdened range here. A plumber works roughly 84.4 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 South Portland, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Freeport, ME
$2,532/mo (48.7% of income)
Yarmouth, ME
$2,518/mo (48.4% of income)
Kittery, ME
$2,472/mo (47.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for South Portland

View full rent data for South Portland, ME

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in South Portland, ME?

Median rent in South Portland is $2,533 a month. A typical plumber in Maine earns about $62,403 a year, which makes that rent 48.7% 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 South Portland?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Maine (~$62,403/yr) supports up to $1,560 a month in rent. South Portland's current median rent is $2,533/mo, which is $973/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a plumber in Maine works roughly 84.4 hours a month to cover South Portland's median rent of $2,533.

Where is rent cheaper than South Portland for a plumber?

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 plumber 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.