Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or Idaho Falls?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% 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 Idaho Falls?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Bangor versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Bangor or Idaho Falls?

Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Bangor vs Idaho Falls Cost of Living 2026

Bangor

Maine

$1,210/mo est.

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/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 $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 20% 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 $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 17% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bangor, ME

Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio

$800

$818

+2% in Idaho Falls, ID

1 Bedroom

$889

$827

+7% in Bangor, ME

2 Bedroom

$1,136

$957

+16% in Bangor, ME

3 Bedroom

$1,224

$1,278

+4% in Idaho Falls, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$206,300

$298,600

+45% in Idaho Falls, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$58,096

$69,630

+20% in Idaho Falls, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,960

$46,800

+2% in Bangor, ME

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.7 yr

33.5 yr

+7.2 yr in Bangor, ME

Homeownership

46.9%

64.1%

+17.2 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

36.3%

31.0%

+5.3 pp in Bangor, ME

Avg Commute

17.0 min

18.2 min

+1.2 min in Idaho Falls, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

161.4

365.3

+126% in Idaho Falls, ID

Property Crime

4,259.8

1,235.5

+71% 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

44.2°F

+0.1°F in Bangor, ME

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

10.4 in

+31.5 in in Bangor, ME

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

14.4

+51% in Bangor, ME

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.62

$11.33

+64% in Bangor, ME

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Idaho Falls, ID

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 / ID)

5.5%

+0.5 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

7.15%

5.30%

+1.9 pp in ME

Bangor vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or Idaho Falls?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% 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 Idaho Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Bangor versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Bangor or Idaho Falls?: Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).