Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or Norfolk?

Bangor, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Bangor versus $41,000 in Norfolk.

Which has lower taxes, Bangor or Norfolk?

Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Bangor vs Norfolk Cost of Living 2026

Bangor

Maine

$1,210/mo est.

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/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 $1,230 in Norfolk, VA. Overall, Bangor, ME is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norfolk, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $58,096 in Bangor, ME and $64,017 in Norfolk, VA — about 9% higher in Norfolk, VA. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Bangor, ME

Norfolk, VA

Rent

Studio

$800

$1,102

+38% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$889

$1,032

+16% in Norfolk, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,136

$1,214

+7% in Norfolk, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,224

$1,602

+31% in Norfolk, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$206,300

$271,900

+32% in Norfolk, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$58,096

$64,017

+10% in Norfolk, VA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,960

$49,430

+3% in Norfolk, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.7 yr

32.4 yr

+8.3 yr in Bangor, ME

Homeownership

46.9%

45.7%

+1.2 pp in Bangor, ME

Bachelor's+ (25+)

36.3%

32.7%

+3.6 pp in Bangor, ME

Avg Commute

17.0 min

22.9 min

+5.9 min in Norfolk, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

161.4

479.5

+197% in Norfolk, VA

Property Crime

4,259.8

3,800.7

+11% 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

61.3°F

+17.0°F in Norfolk, VA

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

44.8 in

+2.8 in in Norfolk, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

17.2

+42% in Bangor, ME

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.62

$27.20

+14% 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 Norfolk, VA

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 / VA)

5.5%

5.3%

+0.2 pp in ME

Income Tax (top rate)

7.15%

5.75%

+1.4 pp in ME

Bangor vs Norfolk — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or Norfolk?: Bangor, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bangor than in Norfolk?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Bangor versus $41,000 in Norfolk.
Which has lower taxes, Bangor or Norfolk?: Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).