City Comparison

Bangor vs Burlington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bangor

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

Burlington

Vermont
118
Above Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$51,098
Median Income

The Verdict

27.1%

Bangor is 27.1% less expensive than Burlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bangor would need approximately $102,907 in Burlington to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Bangor
139
Burlington
Groceries
104
Bangor
108
Burlington
Utilities
108
Bangor
115
Burlington
Transportation
111
Bangor
98
Burlington
Healthcare
104
Bangor
116
Burlington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bangor has the same purchasing power as $102,907 in Burlington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Burlington equals $54,661 in Bangor.

Living in Bangor vs Burlington

Housing Costs

Bangor's housing index of 83 is lower Burlington's 139, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $380,000. The $145,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Bangor compared to $1,800/mo in Burlington, a monthly difference of $800.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 108 in Burlington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $513/month in Burlington. 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 108 in Bangor and 115 in Burlington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $460 in Burlington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Bangor and 116 in Burlington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $51,098 in Burlington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $43,303 respectively. Bangor residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,225/month to housing in Bangor vs $1,192/month in Burlington. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bangor is 27.1% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Bangor has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $102,907 in Burlington, based on the cost of living difference.
Bangor's housing index is 83 with median homes at $235,000, while Burlington's is 139 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases