City Comparison

Bangor vs Bellevue

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bangor

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

Bellevue

Washington
158
Very Expensive
$1.3M
Median Home
$2,525/mo
Median Rent
$169,200
Median Income

The Verdict

45.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 45.6%, with Bangor being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bangor has equivalent purchasing power to $137,791 in Bellevue.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Bangor
249
Bellevue
Groceries
104
Bangor
111
Bellevue
Utilities
108
Bangor
100
Bellevue
Transportation
111
Bangor
134
Bellevue
Healthcare
104
Bangor
120
Bellevue

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bangor has the same purchasing power as $137,791 in Bellevue.

Conversely, $75,000 in Bellevue equals $40,823 in Bangor.

Living in Bangor vs Bellevue

Housing Costs

Bangor's housing index of 83 is lower Bellevue's 249, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $1.3M. The $1.1M difference in home prices means roughly $69,288 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Bangor compared to $2,525/mo in Bellevue, a monthly difference of $1,525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 111 in Bellevue. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $527/month in Bellevue. Bangor offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Bangor and 100 in Bellevue. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $400 in Bellevue. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Bangor and 120 in Bellevue. 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 $52,500 in Bangor and $169,200 in Bellevue. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $107,089 respectively. Bellevue residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,225/month to housing in Bangor vs $3,948/month in Bellevue. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/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 45.6% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Bangor has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $137,791 in Bellevue, based on the cost of living difference.
Bangor's housing index is 83 with median homes at $235,000, while Bellevue's is 249 with median homes at $1.3M.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases