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Home / Hourly Rates / $17.25 Per Hour / Maine / South Portland Paycheck
PAYCHECK & TAX BREAKDOWN

$17.25 an Hour is How Much a Year in South Portland, ME?

An hourly pay rate of $17.25/hr in South Portland, ME translates to $35,880 in gross yearly earnings based on full-time work of 2,080 annual hours before taxes.

Gross Annual $35,880 52 weeks @ 40 hrs
Gross Monthly $2,990 ~166.6 hours/month
Gross Weekly $690 40 hours/week
Overtime Rate (1.5x) $25.88 per hour after 40 hrs
South Portland Affordability 73/100 Moderate — Mid Cost of Living
South Portland Cost of Living Mid Cost of Living
Avg 1BR Rent in South Portland 30% Rule: $897/mo budget
$1,225/mo $328 over budget ✗
South Portland Median Wage BLS Local Area Estimate
$21.07/hr -18.1% below local median

How Much is $17.25 an Hour After Taxes in South Portland, ME?

Adjust hours, state, or filing status to calculate custom net take-home pay.

Weekly Hours: 40 hrs/wk
10 hrs (Part-time) 40 hrs (Full-time) 80 hrs
hrs/wk
Estimated Net Take-Home
$28,481.38

per year after Federal, FICA & State Taxes


Monthly Net $2,373.45
Bi-Weekly Net $1,095.44

Estimated Tax Breakdown ($35,880 Gross)

Federal Income Tax (~6.5%) $2,321.6
FICA Tax (Social Security & Medicare 7.65%) $2,744.82
Maine State Tax (~6.5%) $2,332.2
*Estimates based on 2026/2027 IRS tax brackets with standard deduction. ✓ IRS Publication 15-T Verified
South Portland Real Purchasing Power (COL-Adjusted) ↑ 102% of National Average
$29,051 COL-Adj. Annual
$2,421 COL-Adj. Monthly
$13.97/hr Real Wage Equiv.

Your $28,481.38 net pay in South Portland has the equivalent purchasing power of $29,051/yr nationally due to South Portland's MCOL cost-of-living tier — $569.62 more than the same salary in an average U.S. city.

Full Tax & Paycheck Breakdown

For the complete gross-to-net pay matrix, tax calculation, and PTO comparison for $17.25/hr in Maine:

Maine Full Breakdown →

South Portland vs Comparable Maine Cities

South Portland ranks #4 of 7 in Maine by rent cost. See how it compares to cheaper and pricier neighbors at $17.25/hr.

Safe Rent Budget: $897/mo (30% of gross)
City Avg 1BR Rent vs 30% Budget Needs Leftover Local Median Wage Housing Verdict
Biddeford $1,075/mo $178 over +$112/mo $18.49/hr ⚠️ Tight
Auburn $1,150/mo $253 over +$37/mo $19.78/hr ⚠️ Tight
South Portland ← You $1,225/mo $328 over -$38/mo $21.07/hr ⚠️ Tight
Bangor $1,313/mo $416 over -$126/mo $22.57/hr 🔴 Difficult
Lewiston $1,438/mo $541 over -$251/mo $24.72/hr 🔴 Difficult

*Needs Leftover = 50% of net pay ($1,187/mo) minus city average rent. Positive = comfortable; negative = rent strain.

City Report

Is $17.25/hr a Living Wage in South Portland, ME?

Full monthly expense breakdown based on South Portland cost-of-living data and BLS Consumer Expenditure benchmarks.

Below Living Wage Threshold in South Portland

$17.25/hr falls $142/mo short of estimated living costs in South Portland.

South Portland (MCOL) living wage threshold: $19.50/hr — your wage is $2.25/hr below this threshold.

Estimated Monthly Expenses in South Portland

Expense Category Amount Share
Avg 1BR Rent — South Portland $1,225 51.6% of net
Groceries & Food $420 17.7% of net
Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet) $140 5.9% of net
Transportation (Gas, Insurance, Transit) $350 14.7% of net
Healthcare & Insurance $220 9.3% of net
Personal & Miscellaneous $160 6.7% of net
Total Monthly Expenses $2,515 -$142 deficit
Your Monthly Net Pay $2,373.45 100%

South Portland Wage Percentile

$21.07/hr South Portland Median Wage
$17.25/hr Your Hourly Rate
Bottom 45% of South Portland Earners
66% of U.S. Median Income

Savings Milestones in South Portland

Monthly Savings Capacity (20% of net) $475/mo
3-Month Emergency Fund Target $7,120
Months to Build Emergency Fund 15 months
20% Down Payment on South Portland Median Home $58,800
Months to Save for Down Payment 7 months
50/30/20 BUDGET ALLOCATION

50/30/20 Budget Rule for $17.25/hr in South Portland, ME

Based on estimated monthly take-home pay of $2,373.45 after taxes.

⚠️
South Portland, ME Rent Deficit Warning ($328/mo Over Budget)

Average 1-bedroom rent in South Portland ($1,225/mo) exceeds your 30% safe rent limit ($897/mo) by $328/month. Living with roommates or adjusting lifestyle wants is recommended in South Portland.

Needs (50%) Essential
$1,186.72

Deducting $1225/mo South Portland rent leaves $-38.28/mo for groceries & bills.

Wants (30%) Lifestyle
$712.03

Dining out, Hobbies & Subscriptions

Savings & Debt (20%) Wealth
$474.69

Emergency fund, Investments

Housing Affordability

How Much Rent Can You Afford on $17.25/hr in South Portland, ME?

Financial experts recommend spending no more than 30% of your gross income on housing.

Recommended Max Monthly Rent
$897 / mo
Based on the 30% gross rule ($2,990 x 0.30).
Ideal Rent Range: $687.7 - $897/mo
Max Stretch Rent (Take-home 40%): Up to $949.38/mo
South Portland Average 1BR Rent Benchmark: $1,225/month
Average South Portland rent ($1225/mo) exceeds your 50% Needs budget by $38.28/mo.

Detailed Analysis: Is $17.25 an Hour a Good Wage?

At an hourly pay rate of $17.25/hr in South Portland, ME, an individual generates approximately $35,880 in gross annual earnings over a standard work schedule. In South Portland, the local median individual wage sits at $21.07/hr, meaning your $17.25/hr rate represents a 18.1% discount compared to local peers. In comparison to nationwide median benchmarks, this rate provides a strong financial baseline.

Take-Home Pay & Net Cash Flow Analysis

After payroll tax withholdings, a $17.25/hr compensation package leaves you with a post-tax disposable income of approximately $28,481 per year in South Portland, ME after statutory Federal withholdings.

Housing Affordability & Safe Rent Guidance

Financial advisors generally recommend capping housing expenditures at 30% of gross earnings. For a worker earning $17.25 per hour in South Portland, ME ($2,990/mo gross), this establishes an ideal rent ceiling of $897 per month. With the local average 1-bedroom rent in South Portland sitting at $1225/mo, spending $897/mo safe limit requires roommates to avoid severe housing cost burden.

50/30/20 Monthly Budget Allocation

Structuring your $2,373 net monthly income using the 50/30/20 rule yields: $1,187/mo dedicated to mandatory living costs, $712/mo reserved for discretionary spending, and $475/mo directed into savings. Under this structure, average South Portland rent ($1225/mo) consumes the entire Needs budget and leaves a deficit of $38/mo.

South Portland Local Median Wage Benchmark ($21.07/hr) -18% Below Local Median
U.S. National Individual Median Income ($54,000/yr) -34% vs National Median

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is $17.25 an hour per year working full-time in South Portland, ME?

Earning $17.25/hr working 40 hours per week for 52 weeks (2,080 annual hours) in South Portland, ME yields a total gross annual salary of $35,880 before tax deductions.

What is the net annual take-home pay for $17.25 an hour in South Portland, ME?

After Federal income tax, 7.65% FICA tax, and estimated South Portland, ME state taxes, an hourly wage of $17.25/hr results in an estimated net take-home pay of $28,481 per year.

How much rent can I afford in South Portland, ME earning $17.25 an hour?

Based on the 30% gross income housing rule ($2,990/mo gross x 0.30), the recommended maximum monthly rent for $17.25/hr in South Portland, ME is $897/month. Sibling city rent averages are compared on this page.

Salary Paycheck Period

Compare different paycheck frequencies for this exact hourly rate.

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