Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or Jackson?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% 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 Jackson?

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 Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Bangor or Jackson?

Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Bangor vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Bangor

Maine

$1,210/mo est.

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,000/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 $1,000 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 17% 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 $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 26% higher in Bangor, ME. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Bangor, ME

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$800

$1,085

+36% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$889

$816

+8% in Bangor, ME

2 Bedroom

$1,136

$991

+13% in Bangor, ME

3 Bedroom

$1,224

$1,121

+8% in Bangor, ME

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$206,300

$108,200

+48% in Bangor, ME

Income

Median Household Income

$58,096

$43,238

+26% in Bangor, ME

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,960

$42,850

+11% in Bangor, ME

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.7 yr

34.7 yr

+6.0 yr in Bangor, ME

Homeownership

46.9%

48.6%

+1.7 pp in Jackson, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

36.3%

28.6%

+7.7 pp in Bangor, ME

Avg Commute

17.0 min

20.2 min

+3.2 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

161.4

—

Property Crime

4,259.8

—

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

65.3°F

+21.0°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

54.3 in

+12.4 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Bangor, ME

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

14.9

+50% in Bangor, ME

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.62

$29.04

+8% in Bangor, ME

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Bangor, ME

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Bangor, ME

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Jackson, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Bangor, ME

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Bangor, ME

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Bangor, ME

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ME / MS)

5.5%

+1.5 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

7.15%

4.00%

+3.2 pp in ME

Bangor vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or Jackson?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% 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 Jackson?: 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 Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Bangor or Jackson?: Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% 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).