City Comparison

Bangor vs Plano

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bangor

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

Plano

Texas
109
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$96,348
Median Income

The Verdict

21.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 21.1%, with Bangor being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bangor has equivalent purchasing power to $95,058 in Plano.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Bangor
123
Plano
Groceries
104
Bangor
98
Plano
Utilities
108
Bangor
99
Plano
Transportation
111
Bangor
106
Plano
Healthcare
104
Bangor
100
Plano

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bangor has the same purchasing power as $95,058 in Plano.

Conversely, $75,000 in Plano equals $59,174 in Bangor.

Living in Bangor vs Plano

Housing Costs

Bangor's housing index of 83 is lower Plano's 123, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $400,000. The $165,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,728 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Bangor compared to $1,700/mo in Plano, a monthly difference of $700.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 98 in Plano. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $466/month in Plano. Plano offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Bangor and 99 in Plano. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $396 in Plano. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Bangor and 100 in Plano. 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 $96,348 in Plano. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $88,393 respectively. Plano 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 $2,248/month in Plano. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Plano, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bangor is 21.1% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Bangor has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $95,058 in Plano, based on the cost of living difference.
Bangor's housing index is 83 with median homes at $235,000, while Plano's is 123 with median homes at $400,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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