City Comparison

Bangor vs Minneapolis

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bangor

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

Minneapolis

Minnesota
106
Above Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$64,285
Median Income

The Verdict

18.9%

Bangor is 18.9% less expensive than Minneapolis overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bangor would need approximately $92,442 in Minneapolis to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Bangor
112
Minneapolis
Groceries
104
Bangor
104
Minneapolis
Utilities
108
Bangor
97
Minneapolis
Transportation
111
Bangor
108
Minneapolis
Healthcare
104
Bangor
105
Minneapolis

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bangor has the same purchasing power as $92,442 in Minneapolis.

Conversely, $75,000 in Minneapolis equals $60,849 in Bangor.

Living in Bangor vs Minneapolis

Housing Costs

Bangor's housing index of 83 is lower Minneapolis's 112, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $310,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Bangor compared to $1,500/mo in Minneapolis, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 104 in Minneapolis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $494/month in Minneapolis. 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 97 in Minneapolis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $388 in Minneapolis. 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 105 in Minneapolis. 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 $64,285 in Minneapolis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $60,646 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 $1,500/month in Minneapolis. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Minneapolis, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bangor is 18.9% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Bangor has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $92,442 in Minneapolis, based on the cost of living difference.
Bangor's housing index is 83 with median homes at $235,000, while Minneapolis's is 112 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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