by WGME
Wed, July 14th 2021 at 5:34 PM
Updated Thu, July 15th 2021 at 5:19 AM
A new report shows the gap in Maine between what people can afford and what things actually cost is one of the worst in the country. (WGME)
PORTLAND (WGME) -- A new report shows the gap in Maine between what people can afford and what things actually cost is one of the worst in the country.
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The National Low-Income Housing Coalition says the state now has the nation's ninth largest gap between what people earn and the cost of living.
It shows average rent for a typical two-bedroom apartment in Maine costs more than $1,000 a month.
To afford this, Mainers have to make more than $21 an hour, but according to the study, the average wage for renters in Maine is $12.90.
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“It just sort of puts a real exclamation point on what so many people are dealing with in the real world out here, which is we simply don’t have enough affordable homes in order to address our needs,” Maine Affordable Housing Coalition Director Greg Payne said.
The study also shows Mainers who earn minimum wage, about $12 an hour, have to work more than one job to afford rent for a typical two-bedroom apartment.
