Cost of Living in Bangor, ME
Bangor, ME — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Bangor, ME to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Bangor, ME?
With a price level of 96.5 (U.S. average = 100), Bangor, ME is cheaper than average. In detail, housing costs are 22% below average; everyday goods are 3% below average; utilities run 35% above average; other services such as healthcare and dining run 3% above average. The biggest difference from the national average is in utilities.
Prices in Bangor, ME vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 96.5 | −3.5% |
| Housing | 77.7 | −22.3% |
| Goods | 97.2 | −2.8% |
| Utilities | 134.8 | +34.8% |
| Other services | 103.2 | +3.2% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Bangor, ME
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,145 | $45,800/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,218 | $48,720/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,559 | $62,360/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,007 | $80,280/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,155 | $86,200/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Bangor, ME
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Bangor, ME | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $38,600 | $31,748 |
| $60,000 | $57,900 | $45,976 |
| $80,000 | $77,200 | $59,111 |
| $100,000 | $96,500 | $71,314 |
| $150,000 | $144,800 | $101,379 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Maine 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Bangor, ME's median wage of $47,960 takes home about $3,222 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,218, which is 38% of take-home pay — above the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,004 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Bangor, ME
- Federal income tax$3,575
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,974
- Medicare (1.45%)$695
- Maine income tax$2,056
- Take-home pay$38,660
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.75% state
Highest-paying jobs in Bangor, ME
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $34,140 | $28,423 | $29,452 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Maine cities
Half of Maine’s 640,610 workers earn less than $51,430 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $40,120–$76,230 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Portland, ME stretches a paycheck furthest, while Bangor, ME is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME | $56,960 | 101.9 | $1,548 | 41% | $2,226 | $44,458 |
| Bangor, ME | $47,960 | 96.5 | $1,218 | 38% | $2,004 | $40,059 |
| Lewiston, ME | $49,540 | 94.7 | $1,218 | 37% | $2,101 | $42,036 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Bangor, ME vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 96.5 | $1,218 | $47,960 | 72,270 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 98.3 | $1,302 | $47,750 | 72,280 |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | 98.3 | $1,309 | $46,330 | 72,300 |
| Bozeman, MT | 102.5 | $1,642 | $54,830 | 72,210 |
| Auburn, AL | 87.9 | $1,045 | $39,070 | 72,710 |
| Redding, CA | 100.7 | $1,212 | $48,920 | 71,550 |
| Bloomington, IN | 95.1 | $1,036 | $47,660 | 73,240 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Bangor, ME expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Bangor, ME metro area are 96.5% of the U.S. average, with housing at 77.7%. It is the #136 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Bangor, ME?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $57,905 in Bangor, ME (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $47,960.
Can you afford Bangor, ME on the median wage?
A single worker on the $47,960 median wage takes home about $3,222 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,218 would take 38% of that.
How much is rent in Bangor, ME?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Bangor, ME are $1,145 for a studio, $1,218 for one bedroom, $1,559 for two bedrooms and $2,007 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Bangor, ME
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $34,140