Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Bar Harbor?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Bar Harbor, you need to earn at least $44,560/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $46,917, which means the typical resident is $2,357 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 2,154

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$780	$2,600	$31,200	$-15,717
1 Bedroom	$925	$3,083	$37,000	$-9,917
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,114	$3,713	$44,560	$-2,357
3 Bedroom	$1,359	$4,530	$54,360	+$7,443
4 Bedroom	$1,671	$5,570	$66,840	+$19,923

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Bar Harbor's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$46,917

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$44,560

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$2,357

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 28.5%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Bar Harbor

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Bar Harbor's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,173

Studio

$780/mo

1 BR

$925/mo

2 BR

$1,114/mo

3 BR

$1,359/mo

4 BR

$1,671/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Bar Harbor.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Bar Harbor's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $2,357. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($925/month) or studio ($780/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Bar Harbor pushes the required income to $54,360.

For comfortable living in Bar Harbor without financial stress, target a household income of at least $66,840 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Maine's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Bar Harbor, Maine.

With a total population of 2,154, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 1,052 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $44,560 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

1,052

Active civilian employees in Bar Harbor

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Bar Harbor

What salary do I need to live in Bar Harbor, Maine?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Bar Harbor under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $44,560. The median household income in Bar Harbor is $46,917.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Bar Harbor on $46,917?

The affordability verdict for Bar Harbor is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 28.5%, meaning median earners have a $2,357 surplus.

What is the average rent in Bar Harbor compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Bar Harbor is $925/month. With a median household income of $46,917, residents spend approximately 28.5% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Bar Harbor?

A studio in Bar Harbor rents for approximately $780/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $31,200 to afford this.

Is Bar Harbor considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $2,357 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Bar Harbor is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $44,560 to the local median household income.

How Bar Harbor Compares

Other cities in Maine with salary requirements