City Comparison

Bangor vs Murfreesboro

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bangor

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

Murfreesboro

Tennessee
93
Below Average
$325,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$55,200
Median Income

The Verdict

7.5%

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

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Bangor
85
Murfreesboro
Groceries
104
Bangor
95
Murfreesboro
Utilities
108
Bangor
89
Murfreesboro
Transportation
111
Bangor
97
Murfreesboro
Healthcare
104
Bangor
96
Murfreesboro

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Bangor vs Murfreesboro

Housing Costs

Bangor's housing index of 83 is lower Murfreesboro's 85, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $325,000. The $90,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Bangor compared to $1,350/mo in Murfreesboro, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 95 in Murfreesboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $451/month in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro 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 89 in Murfreesboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $356 in Murfreesboro. 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 96 in Murfreesboro. 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 $55,200 in Murfreesboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $59,355 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 $1,288/month in Murfreesboro. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Murfreesboro, median rent of $1,350/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 19 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 Murfreesboro, based on the cost of living difference.
Bangor's housing index is 83 with median homes at $235,000, while Murfreesboro's is 85 with median homes at $325,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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