Bangor vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bangor
Scranton
The Verdict
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 Scranton.
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 $78,488 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $71,667 in Bangor.
Living in Bangor vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Bangor's housing index of 83 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $195,000. The $40,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Bangor compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $466/month in Scranton. Scranton 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 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Bangor and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $55,000 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 $1,155/month in Scranton. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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