City Comparison

Alexandria vs Bangor

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Alexandria

Virginia
145
Expensive
$590,000
Median Home
$2,125/mo
Median Rent
$119,700
Median Income

Bangor

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

The Verdict

68.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 68.6%, with Bangor being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to $44,483 in Bangor.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
201
Alexandria
83
Bangor
Groceries
113
Alexandria
104
Bangor
Utilities
97
Alexandria
108
Bangor
Transportation
107
Alexandria
111
Bangor
Healthcare
102
Alexandria
104
Bangor

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has the same purchasing power as $44,483 in Bangor.

Conversely, $75,000 in Bangor equals $126,453 in Alexandria.

Living in Alexandria vs Bangor

Housing Costs

Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Bangor's 83, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $235,000. The $355,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,076 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $1,000/mo in Bangor, a monthly difference of $1,125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 104 in Bangor. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $494/month in Bangor. Bangor offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Alexandria and 108 in Bangor. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria 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 102 in Alexandria and 104 in Bangor. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $119,700 in Alexandria and $52,500 in Bangor. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $61,047 respectively. Alexandria residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,793/month to housing in Alexandria vs $1,225/month in Bangor. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/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 Housing, where the gap is 118 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bangor is 68.6% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 145.
A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $44,483 in Bangor, based on the cost of living difference.
Alexandria's housing index is 201 with median homes at $590,000, while Bangor's is 83 with median homes at $235,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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