City Comparison

Bangor vs Syracuse

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bangor

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

Syracuse

New York
92
Below Average
$140,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$36,708
Median Income

The Verdict

6.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 6.5%, with Bangor being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bangor has equivalent purchasing power to $80,233 in Syracuse.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Bangor
69
Syracuse
Groceries
104
Bangor
101
Syracuse
Utilities
108
Bangor
105
Syracuse
Transportation
111
Bangor
101
Syracuse
Healthcare
104
Bangor
100
Syracuse

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bangor has the same purchasing power as $80,233 in Syracuse.

Conversely, $75,000 in Syracuse equals $70,109 in Bangor.

Living in Bangor vs Syracuse

Housing Costs

Bangor's housing index of 83 is higher Syracuse's 69, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $140,000. The $95,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Bangor compared to $950/mo in Syracuse, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Bangor and 101 in Syracuse. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Bangor vs $480/month in Syracuse. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Bangor and 105 in Syracuse. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Bangor vs $420 in Syracuse. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Bangor and 100 in Syracuse. 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 $36,708 in Syracuse. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,047 and $39,900 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 $857/month in Syracuse. In Bangor, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Syracuse, median rent of $950/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bangor is 6.5% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Bangor has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,233 in Syracuse, based on the cost of living difference.
Bangor's housing index is 83 with median homes at $235,000, while Syracuse's is 69 with median homes at $140,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases