Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Bangor?

Bangor, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Bangor?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $36,000 in Bangor.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Bangor?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Bangor under Maine's (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Bangor Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,830/mo est.

Bangor

Maine

$1,210/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,830 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,210 in Bangor, ME. Overall, Bangor, ME is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $58,096 in Bangor, ME — about 44% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Bangor, ME

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$800

+35% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$889

+44% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,136

+39% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,224

+45% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$206,300

+60% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$58,096

+44% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$47,960

+19% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

40.7 yr

+0.2 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

46.9%

+12.9 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

36.3%

+17.4 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

17.0 min

+11.7 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

161.4

+80% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

4,259.8

+102% in Bangor, ME

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

44.3°F

+12.8°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

41.9 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

29.6

+35% in Bangor, ME

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$31.62

+40% in Bangor, ME

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Bangor, ME

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Bangor, ME

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Bangor, ME

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Bangor, ME

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Bangor, ME

Average prices — South vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / ME)

5.5%

+0.5 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

7.15%

+0.7 pp in ME

Annapolis vs Bangor — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Bangor?: Bangor, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Bangor?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $36,000 in Bangor.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Bangor?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Bangor under Maine's (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).