Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or Rapid City?

Rapid City, SD 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 Rapid City?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Bangor versus $32,000 in Rapid City.

Which has lower taxes, Bangor or Rapid City?

Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Rapid City under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Bangor vs Rapid City Cost of Living 2026

Bangor

Maine

$1,210/mo est.

Rapid City

South Dakota

$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 Rapid City, SD. Overall, Rapid City, SD 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 $65,712 in Rapid City, SD — about 12% higher in Rapid City, SD. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Bangor, ME

Rapid City, SD

Rent

Studio

$800

$533

+33% in Bangor, ME

1 Bedroom

$889

$807

+9% in Bangor, ME

2 Bedroom

$1,136

$1,156

+2% in Rapid City, SD

3 Bedroom

$1,224

$1,260

+3% in Rapid City, SD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$206,300

$270,000

+31% in Rapid City, SD

Income

Median Household Income

$58,096

$65,712

+13% in Rapid City, SD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,960

$46,270

+4% in Bangor, ME

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.7 yr

39.0 yr

+1.7 yr in Bangor, ME

Homeownership

46.9%

61.6%

+14.7 pp in Rapid City, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

36.3%

36.4%

+0.1 pp in Rapid City, SD

Avg Commute

17.0 min

17.4 min

+0.4 min in Rapid City, SD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

161.4

718.9

+345% in Rapid City, SD

Property Crime

4,259.8

3,795.8

+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

47.1°F

+2.8°F in Rapid City, SD

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

16.3 in

+25.6 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

15.4

+48% in Bangor, ME

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.62

$15.26

+52% 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 Rapid City, SD

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 / SD)

5.5%

4.2%

+1.3 pp in ME

Income Tax (top rate)

7.15%

None

+7.2 pp in ME

Bangor vs Rapid City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or Rapid City?: Rapid City, SD 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 Rapid City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Bangor versus $32,000 in Rapid City.
Which has lower taxes, Bangor or Rapid City?: Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Rapid City under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% 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).