Bangor vs Dayton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bangor
Dayton
The Verdict
Dayton is 7.5% less expensive than Bangor overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bangor would need approximately $69,767 in Dayton to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Bangor has the same purchasing power as $69,767 in Dayton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Dayton equals $80,625 in Bangor.
Living in Bangor vs Dayton
Housing Costs
Bangor's housing index of 83 is higher Dayton's 46, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $135,000. The $100,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,504 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Bangor compared to $900/mo in Dayton, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 98 in Dayton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $466/month in Dayton. Dayton 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 109 in Dayton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $436 in Dayton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Bangor and 114 in Dayton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $43,500 in Dayton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $54,375 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 $1,015/month in Dayton. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases