Bangor vs Provo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bangor
Provo
The Verdict
Living in Bangor costs 17.3% less than Provo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bangor, you would need $90,698 in Provo.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Bangor has the same purchasing power as $90,698 in Provo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Provo equals $62,019 in Bangor.
Living in Bangor vs Provo
Housing Costs
Bangor's housing index of 83 is lower Provo's 112, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $380,000. The $145,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Bangor compared to $1,300/mo in Provo, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 98 in Provo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $466/month in Provo. Provo 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 87 in Provo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $348 in Provo. 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 97 in Provo. 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 $51,048 in Provo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $49,085 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 $1,191/month in Provo. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Provo, median rent of $1,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. 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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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