City Comparison

Bangor vs Duluth

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bangor

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

Duluth

Minnesota
85
Very Affordable
$268,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$68,800
Median Income

The Verdict

1.2%

Living in Duluth costs 1.2% less than Bangor. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bangor, you would need $74,128 in Duluth.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Bangor
88
Duluth
Groceries
104
Bangor
99
Duluth
Utilities
108
Bangor
94
Duluth
Transportation
111
Bangor
100
Duluth
Healthcare
104
Bangor
123
Duluth

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bangor has the same purchasing power as $74,128 in Duluth.

Conversely, $75,000 in Duluth equals $75,882 in Bangor.

Living in Bangor vs Duluth

Housing Costs

Bangor's housing index of 83 is lower Duluth's 88, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $268,000. The $33,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,148 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Bangor compared to $1,025/mo in Duluth, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 99 in Duluth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $470/month in Duluth. 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 94 in Duluth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $376 in Duluth. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Bangor and 123 in Duluth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $68,800 in Duluth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $80,941 respectively. Duluth 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 $1,605/month in Duluth. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Duluth is 1.2% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 86.
A $75,000 salary in Bangor has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,128 in Duluth, based on the cost of living difference.
Bangor's housing index is 83 with median homes at $235,000, while Duluth's is 88 with median homes at $268,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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