City Comparison

Bangor vs Champaign

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bangor

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

Champaign

Illinois
81
Very Affordable
$215,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$56,100
Median Income

The Verdict

6.2%

Living in Champaign costs 6.2% less than Bangor. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bangor, you would need $70,640 in Champaign.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Bangor
83
Champaign
Groceries
104
Bangor
98
Champaign
Utilities
108
Bangor
106
Champaign
Transportation
111
Bangor
99
Champaign
Healthcare
104
Bangor
90
Champaign

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bangor has the same purchasing power as $70,640 in Champaign.

Conversely, $75,000 in Champaign equals $79,630 in Bangor.

Living in Bangor vs Champaign

Housing Costs

Bangor's housing index of 83 is equal to Champaign's 83, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $215,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Bangor compared to $1,100/mo in Champaign, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 98 in Champaign. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $466/month in Champaign. Champaign offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Bangor and 106 in Champaign. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $424 in Champaign. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Bangor and 90 in Champaign. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $56,100 in Champaign. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $69,259 respectively. Champaign 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 $1,309/month in Champaign. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Champaign is 6.2% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 86.
A $75,000 salary in Bangor has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,640 in Champaign, based on the cost of living difference.
Bangor's housing index is 83 with median homes at $235,000, while Champaign's is 83 with median homes at $215,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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