Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or Billings?

Billings, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% 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 Billings?

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

Which has lower taxes, Bangor or Billings?

Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Billings under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Bangor vs Billings Cost of Living 2026

Bangor

Maine

$1,210/mo est.

Billings

Montana

$1,040/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 $1,040 in Billings, MT. Overall, Billings, MT is roughly 14% 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 $71,855 in Billings, MT — about 19% higher in Billings, MT. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Bangor, ME

Billings, MT

Rent

Studio

$800

$877

+10% in Billings, MT

1 Bedroom

$889

about equal

2 Bedroom

$1,136

$1,102

+3% in Bangor, ME

3 Bedroom

$1,224

$1,398

+14% in Billings, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$206,300

$311,800

+51% in Billings, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$58,096

$71,855

+24% in Billings, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,960

$49,060

+2% in Billings, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.7 yr

38.1 yr

+2.6 yr in Bangor, ME

Homeownership

46.9%

64.8%

+17.9 pp in Billings, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

36.3%

37.0%

+0.7 pp in Billings, MT

Avg Commute

17.0 min

16.7 min

+0.3 min in Bangor, ME

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

161.4

750.2

+365% in Billings, MT

Property Crime

4,259.8

3,123.5

+27% 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

48.2°F

+3.9°F in Billings, MT

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

13.7 in

+28.3 in in Bangor, ME

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Billings, MT

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

15.1

+49% in Bangor, ME

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.62

$10.12

+68% in Bangor, ME

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Billings, MT

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Billings, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Billings, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Bangor, ME

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ME / MT)

5.5%

None

+5.5 pp in ME

Income Tax (top rate)

7.15%

5.65%

+1.5 pp in ME

Bangor vs Billings — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or Billings?: Billings, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% 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 Billings?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Bangor versus $36,000 in Billings.
Which has lower taxes, Bangor or Billings?: Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Billings under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no 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).