Can A Registered Nurse Afford Rent in Portland, ME?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.2% of gross income.
Portland rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maine state estimate).
About rent and a registered nurse salary
Rent is the single largest fixed cost most renters carry, and the rent-to-income ratio is the simplest measure of whether a city is livable on a given salary. For renters earning a typical registered-nurse income, the 30% rule supports about $2,360 a month in rent. That margin covers comfortable one-bedroom rent in the vast majority of US metros but tightens significantly in the highest-rent coastal cities, where rent can claim 40% or more of an RN paycheck. The per-city pages below show the local rent, the local nurse-pay estimate, and where that combination sits on the affordability scale.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Maine cities have lower median rent than Portland, which improves the affordability math on a registered nurse salary:
Compare with full rent data for Portland
View full rent data for Portland, ME →Frequently asked questions
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Portland, ME?
Median rent in Portland is $2,429 a month. A typical registered nurse in Maine earns about $87,866 a year, which makes that rent 33.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a registered nurse afford in Portland?
Using the 30% rule, a registered nurse salary in Maine (~$87,866/yr) supports up to $2,197 a month in rent. Portland's current median rent is $2,429/mo, which is $232/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a registered nurse work to cover rent in Portland?
At an hourly equivalent of about $42 an hour, a registered nurse in Maine works roughly 57.5 hours a month to cover Portland's median rent of $2,429.
Where is rent cheaper than Portland for a registered nurse?
Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Yarmouth ($2,421/mo), South Portland ($2,412/mo), Kittery ($2,397/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a registered nurse salary.