City Comparison

Bangor vs Lexington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bangor

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

Lexington

Kentucky
93
Below Average
$245,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$55,648
Median Income

The Verdict

7.5%

Living in Bangor costs 7.5% less than Lexington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bangor, you would need $81,105 in Lexington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Bangor
82
Lexington
Groceries
104
Bangor
96
Lexington
Utilities
108
Bangor
91
Lexington
Transportation
111
Bangor
98
Lexington
Healthcare
104
Bangor
94
Lexington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bangor has the same purchasing power as $81,105 in Lexington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lexington equals $69,355 in Bangor.

Living in Bangor vs Lexington

Housing Costs

Bangor's housing index of 83 is higher Lexington's 82, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $245,000. The $10,000 difference in home prices means roughly $648 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Bangor compared to $1,200/mo in Lexington, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 96 in Lexington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $456/month in Lexington. Lexington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Bangor and 91 in Lexington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $364 in Lexington. 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 Lexington. 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 $55,648 in Lexington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $59,837 respectively. Bangor residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,225/month to housing in Bangor vs $1,298/month in Lexington. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bangor is 7.5% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Bangor has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,105 in Lexington, based on the cost of living difference.
Bangor's housing index is 83 with median homes at $235,000, while Lexington's is 82 with median homes at $245,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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