Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Cape Elizabeth, ME?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 110.2% of gross income.
Cape Elizabeth rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maine state estimate).
About rent and a retail salesperson salary
Retail pay sits below the rent threshold needed for solo apartment living in most US metros, which is the central tension behind the widely studied retail-housing affordability gap. At the national-average retail salary, the 30% rule supports about $927 a month in rent — below the median one-bedroom rent in nearly every metro tracked here. The per-city pages show which markets are least out of reach.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Maine cities have lower median rent than Cape Elizabeth, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Cape Elizabeth
View full rent data for Cape Elizabeth, ME →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Cape Elizabeth, ME?
Median rent in Cape Elizabeth is $3,166 a month. A typical retail salesperson in Maine earns about $34,475 a year, which makes that rent 110.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a retail salesperson afford in Cape Elizabeth?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in Maine (~$34,475/yr) supports up to $862 a month in rent. Cape Elizabeth's current median rent is $3,166/mo, which is $2,304/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Cape Elizabeth?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a retail salesperson in Maine works roughly 191 hours a month to cover Cape Elizabeth's median rent of $3,166.
Where is rent cheaper than Cape Elizabeth for a retail salesperson?
Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Falmouth ($3,025/mo), Falmouth ($3,000/mo), Gorham ($3,000/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.