Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Bangor?

Bangor, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $36,000 in Bangor.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Bangor?

Baltimore 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).

Baltimore vs Bangor Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Baltimore, MD versus $1,210 in Bangor, ME. Overall, Bangor, ME is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Baltimore, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $58,096 in Bangor, ME — about 3% higher in Baltimore, 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.

Baltimore, MD

Bangor, ME

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$800

+24% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$889

+17% in Baltimore, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,136

+16% in Baltimore, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,224

+21% in Baltimore, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$206,300

+6% in Baltimore, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$58,096

+3% in Baltimore, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$47,960

+19% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

40.7 yr

+4.6 yr in Bangor, ME

Homeownership

47.5%

46.9%

+0.6 pp in Baltimore, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

36.3%

+0.9 pp in Bangor, ME

Avg Commute

29.4 min

17.0 min

+12.4 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

161.4

+90% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

4,259.8

+1% 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

61.4°F

44.3°F

+17.1°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

41.9 in

+0.5 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

Adult base one-way fare — MTA Maryland vs — (2026).

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 Baltimore, 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

Baltimore vs Bangor — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Bangor?: Bangor, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Bangor?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $36,000 in Bangor.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Bangor?: Baltimore 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).