City Comparison

Akron vs Bangor

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

Ohio
81
Very Affordable
$146,000
Median Home
$875/mo
Median Rent
$48,500
Median Income

Bangor

Maine
86
Below Average
$235,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$52,500
Median Income

The Verdict

5.8%

Akron is 5.8% less expensive than Bangor overall. A household earning $75,000 in Akron would need approximately $79,630 in Bangor to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
60
Akron
83
Bangor
Groceries
106
Akron
104
Bangor
Utilities
80
Akron
108
Bangor
Transportation
85
Akron
111
Bangor
Healthcare
88
Akron
104
Bangor

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $79,630 in Bangor.

Conversely, $75,000 in Bangor equals $70,640 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Bangor

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Bangor's 83, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $235,000. The $89,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,784 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,000/mo in Bangor, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 104 in Bangor. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $494/month in Bangor. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 108 in Bangor. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $432 in Bangor. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Akron and 104 in Bangor. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,500 in Akron and $52,500 in Bangor. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $61,047 respectively. Bangor residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,132/month to housing in Akron vs $1,225/month in Bangor. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Akron is 5.8% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 86.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,630 in Bangor, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Bangor's is 83 with median homes at $235,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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