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Can You Afford a 2-Bedroom in Maine? The Salary Math.

We use a 2-bedroom HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,281/month as a proxy for the 2-bedroom in Maine. To keep rent under 30% of take-home, you need at least $66,000/year before taxes.Maine is a statewide aggregate. Showing the state-level 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,281/month as a proxy for the 2-bedroom.

Maine is a statewide aggregate. Showing the state-level 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,281/month as a proxy for the 2-bedroom.

Salary thresholds at the HUD FMR of $1,281/month

Rent burden based on estimated take-home after federal, state, and FICA taxes (single filer). Verdict uses 30% rule.

PercentileAnnual salaryMonthly take-homeRent burdenVerdict
Entry-level (10th pct.)$35,190$2,42752.8%Too much
Early career (25th pct.)$40,630$2,76346.4%Too much
Median$55,280$3,66235%Stretch
Experienced (75th pct.)$105,260$6,36820.1%Comfortable
Top earners (90th pct.)$136,090$7,96216.1%Comfortable

Verdict guide: Comfortable <25% | OK 25-30% | Stretch 30-40% | Too much >40%

Jobs that pay enough to afford a 2-Bedroom in Maine

These occupations have median salaries that keep rent under 30% of take-home.

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
$101,850/yr median
Radiologists
$555,750/yr median
Art Directors
$100,300/yr median
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
$82,510/yr median
Acupuncturists
$83,040/yr median
Administrative Services Managers
$105,380/yr median
Legal Support Workers, All Other
$72,110/yr median
Financial Risk Specialists
$141,020/yr median

Keep exploring Maine

Top paying jobs in MaineCost of living in MaineCan you afford a 1-bedroom?Can you afford a 3-bedroom?

Frequently asked questions

What salary do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Maine?
You need roughly $66,000/year gross to keep a 2-bedroom at $1,281/month under the 30% rent burden threshold. That uses current federal and ME state tax brackets with FICA, assuming single filing and the standard deduction.
How much is the HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Maine?
HUD publishes Fair Market Rents at the metro level, not for Maine as a whole. We use the statewide 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,281/month as a proxy.
Is Maine expensive for renters?
Maine is close to the national average in cost. The RPP of 97.7 means prices are roughly in line with the U.S. average.
What percentage of income should go to rent?
The standard guideline is 30% of your gross monthly income before taxes. Go above that and you risk being "rent-burdened," which the Census Bureau defines as spending more than 30% of income on housing costs. Budget carefully if your rent burden sits above 40%.
Which jobs pay enough to afford rent in Maine?
The following occupations in Maine have median salaries that keep 2-bedroom rent under 30% of take-home pay: Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products, Radiologists, Art Directors, Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians, Acupuncturists, Administrative Services Managers, Legal Support Workers, All Other, Financial Risk Specialists.

Source data is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other federal agencies. AffordMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Per BLS policy, "BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov."

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