Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% 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 Spokane?

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

Which has lower taxes, Bangor or Spokane?

Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Bangor vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Bangor

Maine

$1,210/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 12% 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 $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 12% higher in Spokane, WA. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Bangor, ME

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$800

$884

+11% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$889

$903

+2% in Spokane, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,136

$1,192

+5% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,224

$1,442

+18% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$206,300

$326,200

+58% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$58,096

$65,745

+13% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,960

$54,660

+14% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.7 yr

37.2 yr

+3.5 yr in Bangor, ME

Homeownership

46.9%

58.3%

+11.4 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

36.3%

32.6%

+3.7 pp in Bangor, ME

Avg Commute

17.0 min

21.2 min

+4.2 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

161.4

683.6

+324% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

4,259.8

4,931.8

+16% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+4.6°F in Spokane, WA

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

17.8 in

+24.1 in in Bangor, ME

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.26/gal

+34% in Spokane, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

14.9

+50% in Bangor, ME

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.62

$21.34

+33% in Bangor, ME

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Spokane, WA

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 / WA)

5.5%

6.5%

+1.0 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

7.15%

None

+7.2 pp in ME

Bangor vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% 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 Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Bangor versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Bangor or Spokane?: Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).