What is the cost of living in Bangor, ME?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Bangor has an overall cost of living index of 98, which is 1.0x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Maine, Bangor has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Maine's index of 99.
The standard of living in Bangor ranks as #9 most affordable out of the 32 places we measured in Maine. By definition, that implies Bangor ranks as the #23 most expensive place in the Pine Tree State.
For more reading on life in Bangor, check out:
Bangor Cost Of Living Vs. Maine
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Bangor. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Bangor is 105.
The Groceries index in Bangor is 102.
The Health index in Bangor is 85.
The Housing index in Bangor is 106.
The Transportation index in Bangor is 109.
The Utilities index in Bangor is 105.
| Living Expense | Bangor | Maine | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Services | 105 | 101 | 100 |
| Groceries | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Health | 85 | 92 | 100 |
| Housing | 106 | 103 | 100 |
| Transportation | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Utilities | 105 | 105 | 100 |
Bangor Cost Of Living Compared To Maine Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Maine, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Bangor Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Bangor, ME Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Maine, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Bangor is $281,560.
The Median Rent in Bangor is $1,055.
The Median Income in Bangor is $59,942.
The Home Value To Income in Bangor is 4.7x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Bangor is 0.21x.
Bangor, ME Costs By Category
Detailed Bangor Services costs vs. Maine
Detailed Bangor Groceries costs vs. Maine
Detailed Bangor Health costs vs. Maine
Detailed Bangor Transportation costs vs. Maine
Bangor SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Bangor
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Bangor. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Waterville, ME has a cost of living index of 96, 1.0x Bangor.
Orono, ME has a cost of living index of 101, 1.0x Bangor.
Brewer, ME has a cost of living index of 101, 1.0x Bangor.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Bangor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterville, ME | 17,077 | 96 | 1.0x |
| Orono, ME | 11,151 | 101 | 1.0x |
| Brewer, ME | 9,652 | 101 | 1.0x |
| Ellsworth, ME | 8,657 | 99 | 1.0x |
| Belfast, ME | 6,986 | 104 | 1.1x |
| Skowhegan, ME | 6,662 | 93 | 0.9x |
