City Comparison

Bangor vs Kent

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bangor

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

Kent

Washington
137
Expensive
$595,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$98,300
Median Income

The Verdict

37.2%

Bangor is 37.2% less expensive than Kent overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bangor would need approximately $119,477 in Kent to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Bangor
195
Kent
Groceries
104
Bangor
109
Kent
Utilities
108
Bangor
92
Kent
Transportation
111
Bangor
117
Kent
Healthcare
104
Bangor
122
Kent

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bangor has the same purchasing power as $119,477 in Kent.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $47,080 in Bangor.

Living in Bangor vs Kent

Housing Costs

Bangor's housing index of 83 is lower Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $595,000. The $360,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,400 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Bangor compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $750.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $518/month in Kent. 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 92 in Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $368 in Kent. 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 122 in Kent. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $71,752 respectively. Kent 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 $2,294/month in Kent. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 112 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bangor is 37.2% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 137.
A $75,000 salary in Bangor has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $119,477 in Kent, based on the cost of living difference.
Bangor's housing index is 83 with median homes at $235,000, while Kent's is 195 with median homes at $595,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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