Skyline of Bangor
Cost of Living: 95 32,000

Bangor, ME, US

Stephen King's hometown with the Paul Bunyan statue and gateway to Acadia.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Bangor is a city in ME with a population of 32,000. Stephen King’s hometown with the Paul Bunyan statue and gateway to Acadia. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 4b growing zone supports Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 95

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 98

Affordable

Median Income $52,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.5%

Job market health

Bangor vs US Average

Cost of Living
Bangor: 95
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Bangor: 98
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Bangor: 7.15%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 7.2%
  • Sales Tax: 5.5%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $52,000
  • Unemployment: 3.5%
  • Population: 32,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 185/year
  • Summer High: 80°F
  • Winter Low: 10°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 4b

Housing

  • Median Home: $240,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1050/mo

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Cost of Living

Bangor's cost of living index is 95 (US average = 100).

CategoryBangorNational AverageDifference
Overall95100-5.0%
Housing98100-2.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$240,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1050/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,313/mo
Price per Sq Ft$160

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Bangor:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$177Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$183Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$60Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$75Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities$495Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Bangor scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
95
Rent
$1050
Sunny Days
185
Tax
7.15%
Unemployment
3.5%
Climate
80°F / 10°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
32,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Bangor has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January30°F10°F2.5"
April65°F25°F2.8"
July80°F55°F1.5"
October60°F28°F2.2"
USDA Zone 4b

Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials

Natural Hazards

Bangor faces the following natural hazards:

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms.

Flood Moderate Risk

Penobscot River flooding.

Avalanche Moderate Risk

Mountainous region with avalanches.

Hurricane Low Risk

Rarely affected by hurricanes.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 7.15%
  • Sales Tax: 5.5%
  • Property Tax: ~1.36% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.5%.

Schools & Education

67/100
School Quality Score
Better than 78% of US cities
?
11
Total Schools
5.7:1
Student:Teacher
92.5%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Demographics

The population of Bangor is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
1.9%
Black or African American
2.6%
Hispanic or Latino
3.2%
Native American
0.7%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.0%
Other
1.2%
Two or more races
3.6%
White
86.8%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
36.3%
High school graduate
29.1%
Less than high school
4.2%
Some college
30.4%

Religion

Christian
60.0%
Other
7.0%
Unaffiliated
33.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bangor, ME, US?

The cost of living index in Bangor is 95, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Bangor?

The median home price in Bangor is $240,000. The housing index is 98.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bangor is approximately $1050/mo.

Does Bangor, ME have income tax?

Bangor is in ME, which has an income tax rate of 7.15%.

What is the climate like in Bangor?

Bangor enjoys approximately 185 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 80°F, while winter lows can drop to around 10°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.