Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or Bellevue?

Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Bangor, ME's $1,210, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Bangor versus $40,000 in Bellevue.

Which has lower taxes, Bangor or Bellevue?

Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Bellevue under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Bangor vs Bellevue Cost of Living 2026

Bangor

Maine

$1,210/mo est.

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,210 in Bangor, ME versus $1,160 in Bellevue, NE. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bangor, ME, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $58,096 in Bangor, ME and $87,343 in Bellevue, NE — about 33% higher in Bellevue, NE. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Bangor, ME

Bellevue, NE

Rent

Studio

$800

$1,106

+38% in Bellevue, NE

1 Bedroom

$889

$1,008

+13% in Bellevue, NE

2 Bedroom

$1,136

$1,190

+5% in Bellevue, NE

3 Bedroom

$1,224

$1,660

+36% in Bellevue, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$206,300

$230,800

+12% in Bellevue, NE

Income

Median Household Income

$58,096

$87,343

+50% in Bellevue, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,960

$49,660

+4% in Bellevue, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.7 yr

36.1 yr

+4.6 yr in Bangor, ME

Homeownership

46.9%

65.5%

+18.6 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

36.3%

33.4%

+2.9 pp in Bangor, ME

Avg Commute

17.0 min

20.8 min

+3.8 min in Bellevue, NE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

161.4

100.8

+38% in Bangor, ME

Property Crime

4,259.8

1,149.4

+73% 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

44.3°F

51.1°F

+6.8°F in Bellevue, NE

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

30.6 in

+11.3 in in Bangor, ME

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Bangor, ME

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

13.3

+55% in Bangor, ME

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.62

$20.10

+36% in Bangor, ME

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Bangor, ME

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Bangor, ME

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Bangor, ME

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Bangor, ME

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ME / NE)

5.5%

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

7.15%

4.55%

+2.6 pp in ME

Bangor vs Bellevue — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or Bellevue?: Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Bangor, ME's $1,210, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bangor than in Bellevue?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Bangor versus $40,000 in Bellevue.
Which has lower taxes, Bangor or Bellevue?: Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Bellevue under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% 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).