Living Cost Compare
Bangor

Maine

$1,210/mo est.

vs
South Burlington

Vermont

$1,790/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 $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Bangor, ME is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $58,096 in Bangor, ME and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 40% higher in South Burlington, VT. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bangor, ME
South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio
$800
$1,557
+95% in South Burlington, VT
1 Bedroom
$889
$1,533
+72% in South Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,136
$1,805
+59% in South Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$1,224
$2,356
+92% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$206,300
$399,600
+94% in South Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income
$58,096
$97,229
+67% in South Burlington, VT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,960
$60,020
+25% in South Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
40.7 yr
38.8 yr
+1.9 yr in Bangor, ME
Homeownership
46.9%
60.1%
+13.2 pp in South Burlington, VT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
36.3%
65.1%
+28.8 pp in South Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
17.0 min
18.9 min
+1.9 min in South Burlington, VT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
161.4
239.4
+48% in South Burlington, VT
Property Crime
4,259.8
4,446
+4% in South Burlington, VT

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
46.0°F
+1.7°F in South Burlington, VT
Annual Precipitation
41.9 in
36.8 in
+5.1 in in Bangor, ME

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
29.6
24.4
+17% in Bangor, ME
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$31.62
$26.07
+18% in Bangor, ME

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$1.92
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$6.90
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.69
$0.69
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ME / VT)
5.5%
6%
+0.5 pp in VT
Income Tax (top rate)
7.15%
8.75%
+1.6 pp in VT

Bangor vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or South Burlington?
Bangor, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bangor than in South Burlington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Bangor versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Bangor or South Burlington?
Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); South Burlington under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).