City Comparison

Bangor vs Sioux Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bangor

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

Sioux Falls

South Dakota
93
Below Average
$265,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$61,714
Median Income

The Verdict

7.5%

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

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Bangor
80
Sioux Falls
Groceries
104
Bangor
97
Sioux Falls
Utilities
108
Bangor
94
Sioux Falls
Transportation
111
Bangor
98
Sioux Falls
Healthcare
104
Bangor
101
Sioux Falls

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux Falls equals $69,355 in Bangor.

Living in Bangor vs Sioux Falls

Housing Costs

Bangor's housing index of 83 is higher Sioux Falls's 80, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $265,000. The $30,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Bangor compared to $1,100/mo in Sioux Falls, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 97 in Sioux Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $461/month in Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Bangor and 94 in Sioux Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $376 in Sioux Falls. 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 101 in Sioux Falls. 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 $61,714 in Sioux Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $66,359 respectively. Sioux Falls 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 $1,440/month in Sioux Falls. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Sioux Falls, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 14 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 Sioux Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Bangor's housing index is 83 with median homes at $235,000, while Sioux Falls's is 80 with median homes at $265,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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