City Comparison

Bangor vs Fort Collins

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bangor

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

Fort Collins

Colorado
116
Above Average
$531,000
Median Home
$1,625/mo
Median Rent
$74,800
Median Income

The Verdict

25.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 25.9%, with Bangor being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bangor has equivalent purchasing power to $101,163 in Fort Collins.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Bangor
142
Fort Collins
Groceries
104
Bangor
100
Fort Collins
Utilities
108
Bangor
87
Fort Collins
Transportation
111
Bangor
108
Fort Collins
Healthcare
104
Bangor
97
Fort Collins

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bangor has the same purchasing power as $101,163 in Fort Collins.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Collins equals $55,603 in Bangor.

Living in Bangor vs Fort Collins

Housing Costs

Bangor's housing index of 83 is lower Fort Collins's 142, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $531,000. The $296,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,236 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Bangor compared to $1,625/mo in Fort Collins, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 100 in Fort Collins. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $475/month in Fort Collins. 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 87 in Fort Collins. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $348 in Fort Collins. 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 97 in Fort Collins. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $52,500 in Bangor and $74,800 in Fort Collins. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $64,483 respectively. Fort Collins 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 $1,745/month in Fort Collins. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bangor is 25.9% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 116.
A $75,000 salary in Bangor has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $101,163 in Fort Collins, based on the cost of living difference.
Bangor's housing index is 83 with median homes at $235,000, while Fort Collins's is 142 with median homes at $531,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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