Can A Welder Afford Rent in South Portland, ME?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 60.6% of gross income.
South Portland rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maine state estimate).
About rent and a welder salary
Welder pay tracks the US median household income closely. Pipeline and underwater welders earn materially more. At the national-average welder salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,285 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Maine cities have lower median rent than South Portland, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for South Portland
View full rent data for South Portland, ME →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in South Portland, ME?
Median rent in South Portland is $2,413 a month. A typical welder in Maine earns about $47,811 a year, which makes that rent 60.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a welder afford in South Portland?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Maine (~$47,811/yr) supports up to $1,195 a month in rent. South Portland's current median rent is $2,413/mo, which is $1,218/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in South Portland?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a welder in Maine works roughly 105 hours a month to cover South Portland's median rent of $2,413.
Where is rent cheaper than South Portland for a welder?
Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Kittery ($2,412/mo), Kittery ($2,411/mo), Scarborough ($2,410/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.