CostIndexUSA

Bangor, ME vs Bismarck, ND Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ME
Bangor
96.5
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
More AffordableND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Bismarck is moderately cheaper than Bangor — 5.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bangor, you would need $75,400 in Bismarck. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+8.1%
Bangor
77.7
Bismarck
84
🛒 Groceries1.5%
Bangor
97.2
Bismarck
95.7
🚗 Transportation11.7%
Bangor
108.4
Bismarck
95.7
🏥 Healthcare11.6%
Bangor
98
Bismarck
86.6
Utilities44.4%
Bangor
134.8
Bismarck
75

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Bangor to see what you'd need to earn in Bismarck to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Bismarck, ND
$75,400
$4,600 less needed in Bismarck

Formula: salary × (91 ÷ 96.5) = salary × 0.9430. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bangor, ME

Median Home Price
$265,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
77.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.2×

Bismarck, ND

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.7×

Bismarck has 8.1% higher housing costs compared to Bangor.

Income & Job Market

Bangor, ME

Median Household Income
$66,300
Per Capita Income
$37,800
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
Population
31,753
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationRetailManufacturingGovernment

Bismarck, ND

Median Household Income
$83,400
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Population
73,529
Top Industries
GovernmentEnergyHealthcareFinanceAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Bangor, ME
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Bismarck, ND
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.