City Comparison

Bangor vs Morgantown

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bangor

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

Morgantown

West Virginia
90
Below Average
$259,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$44,700
Median Income

The Verdict

4.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 4.4%, with Bangor being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bangor has equivalent purchasing power to $78,488 in Morgantown.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Bangor
81
Morgantown
Groceries
104
Bangor
95
Morgantown
Utilities
108
Bangor
91
Morgantown
Transportation
111
Bangor
99
Morgantown
Healthcare
104
Bangor
88
Morgantown

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bangor has the same purchasing power as $78,488 in Morgantown.

Conversely, $75,000 in Morgantown equals $71,667 in Bangor.

Living in Bangor vs Morgantown

Housing Costs

Bangor's housing index of 83 is higher Morgantown's 81, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $259,000. The $24,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,560 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Bangor compared to $950/mo in Morgantown, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 95 in Morgantown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $451/month in Morgantown. Morgantown 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 91 in Morgantown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $364 in Morgantown. 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 88 in Morgantown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $44,700 in Morgantown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $49,667 respectively. Bangor residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,225/month to housing in Bangor vs $1,043/month in Morgantown. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Morgantown, median rent of $950/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 4.4% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Bangor has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,488 in Morgantown, based on the cost of living difference.
Bangor's housing index is 83 with median homes at $235,000, while Morgantown's is 81 with median homes at $259,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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