City Comparison

Arlington vs Bangor

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

Virginia
164
Very Expensive
$740,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$145,000
Median Income

Bangor

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

The Verdict

90.7%

Living in Bangor costs 90.7% less than Arlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $39,329 in Bangor.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Arlington
83
Bangor
Groceries
106
Arlington
104
Bangor
Utilities
102
Arlington
108
Bangor
Transportation
107
Arlington
111
Bangor
Healthcare
117
Arlington
104
Bangor

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $39,329 in Bangor.

Conversely, $75,000 in Bangor equals $143,023 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Bangor

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Bangor's 83, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $235,000. The $505,000 difference in home prices means roughly $32,820 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,000/mo in Bangor, a monthly difference of $1,350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 104 in Bangor. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington 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 102 in Arlington and 108 in Bangor. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $432 in Bangor. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 104 in Bangor. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $52,500 in Bangor. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $61,047 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,225/month in Bangor. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 166 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bangor is 90.7% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $39,329 in Bangor, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while Bangor's is 83 with median homes at $235,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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