City Comparison

Bangor vs Johnson City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bangor

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

Johnson City

Tennessee
85
Very Affordable
$276,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

The Verdict

1.2%

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

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Bangor
66
Johnson City
Groceries
104
Bangor
95
Johnson City
Utilities
108
Bangor
95
Johnson City
Transportation
111
Bangor
88
Johnson City
Healthcare
104
Bangor
94
Johnson City

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in Johnson City equals $75,882 in Bangor.

Living in Bangor vs Johnson City

Housing Costs

Bangor's housing index of 83 is higher Johnson City's 66, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $276,000. The $41,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,664 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 Johnson City, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 95 in Johnson City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $451/month in Johnson City. Johnson City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Bangor and 95 in Johnson City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $380 in Johnson City. 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 94 in Johnson City. 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 $55,400 in Johnson City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $65,176 respectively. Johnson City 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 $1,293/month in Johnson City. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City 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 Johnson City, based on the cost of living difference.
Bangor's housing index is 83 with median homes at $235,000, while Johnson City's is 66 with median homes at $276,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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