Pittsfield, MA vs Bangor, ME: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Bangor, ME is 1.5% more expensive than Pittsfield, MA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Pittsfield works out to about $76,100 in Bangor, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 5.8% more in Bangor. Goods are 0.2% higher and other services 2.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,512 a month in Bangor and $1,757 in Pittsfield, $2,940 a year less in Bangor (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $277,000 in Bangor and $390,000 in Pittsfield.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (2.6%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 5.8% higher in Bangor than in Pittsfield
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Pittsfield, MA
- Bangor, ME
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Pittsfield, MA | Bangor, ME | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.1 | 96.5 |
| Goods | 97.0 | 97.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 73.5 | 77.7 |
| Utilities | 153.7 | 134.8 |
| Other services | 101.2 | 103.2 |
| Category | Pittsfield | Bangor | Bangor vs Pittsfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.1 | 96.5 | +1.5% |
| Goods | 97.0 | 97.2 | +0.2% |
| Housing (rents) | 73.5 | 77.7 | +5.8% |
| Utilities | 153.7 | 134.8 | −12.3% |
| Other services | 101.2 | 103.2 | +2.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,757 | $1,512 | −13.9% |
| Typical home value | $390,000 | $277,000 | −28.9% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Pittsfield | $75,000 | $76,100 | +1.5% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Pittsfield and Bangor has narrowed since 2008: 5.7 points then, 1.4 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Pittsfield, MA
- Bangor, ME
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Pittsfield, MA | Bangor, ME | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.6 | 93.9 |
| 2009 | 99.1 | 92.1 |
| 2010 | 98.4 | 96.5 |
| 2011 | 95.2 | 93.9 |
| 2012 | 97.8 | 96.3 |
| 2013 | 96.1 | 99.5 |
| 2014 | 96.7 | 92.1 |
| 2015 | 100.5 | 92.8 |
| 2016 | 100.5 | 93.4 |
| 2017 | 100.7 | 94.6 |
| 2018 | 100.4 | 93.9 |
| 2019 | 99.2 | 96.6 |
| 2020 | 99.5 | 97.5 |
| 2021 | 96.0 | 96.8 |
| 2022 | 100.1 | 96.6 |
| 2023 | 93.5 | 92.3 |
| 2024 | 95.1 | 96.5 |
Goods
- Pittsfield, MA
- Bangor, ME
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Pittsfield, MA | Bangor, ME | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.8 | 100.1 |
| 2009 | 101.1 | 100.6 |
| 2010 | 98.0 | 98.0 |
| 2011 | 97.9 | 98.1 |
| 2012 | 97.4 | 98.8 |
| 2013 | 97.3 | 98.2 |
| 2014 | 97.6 | 97.8 |
| 2015 | 98.8 | 99.1 |
| 2016 | 98.3 | 98.6 |
| 2017 | 99.5 | 99.9 |
| 2018 | 100.8 | 100.9 |
| 2019 | 97.9 | 99.4 |
| 2020 | 98.8 | 99.5 |
| 2021 | 96.9 | 99.2 |
| 2022 | 100.8 | 101.1 |
| 2023 | 98.8 | 98.3 |
| 2024 | 97.0 | 97.2 |
Housing (rents)
- Pittsfield, MA
- Bangor, ME
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Pittsfield, MA | Bangor, ME | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 90.4 | 63.0 |
| 2009 | 86.6 | 58.4 |
| 2010 | 91.8 | 83.1 |
| 2011 | 77.1 | 74.9 |
| 2012 | 90.9 | 84.1 |
| 2013 | 75.2 | 96.7 |
| 2014 | 86.0 | 67.2 |
| 2015 | 97.0 | 62.2 |
| 2016 | 96.0 | 66.5 |
| 2017 | 93.3 | 66.4 |
| 2018 | 98.2 | 68.0 |
| 2019 | 91.9 | 75.3 |
| 2020 | 90.6 | 80.5 |
| 2021 | 79.5 | 77.5 |
| 2022 | 79.7 | 63.3 |
| 2023 | 60.7 | 56.1 |
| 2024 | 73.5 | 77.7 |
Utilities
- Pittsfield, MA
- Bangor, ME
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Pittsfield, MA | Bangor, ME | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 139.3 | 138.3 |
| 2009 | 137.6 | 137.5 |
| 2010 | 121.7 | 126.8 |
| 2011 | 121.0 | 125.5 |
| 2012 | 118.6 | 118.6 |
| 2013 | 122.4 | 117.2 |
| 2014 | 126.2 | 120.3 |
| 2015 | 131.2 | 121.0 |
| 2016 | 131.1 | 121.2 |
| 2017 | 135.2 | 123.3 |
| 2018 | 144.6 | 127.5 |
| 2019 | 143.3 | 131.1 |
| 2020 | 155.1 | 133.7 |
| 2021 | 147.1 | 127.9 |
| 2022 | 145.4 | 138.1 |
| 2023 | 152.6 | 148.8 |
| 2024 | 153.7 | 134.8 |
Other services
- Pittsfield, MA
- Bangor, ME
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Pittsfield, MA | Bangor, ME | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.3 | 100.7 |
| 2009 | 101.4 | 100.9 |
| 2010 | 99.8 | 99.6 |
| 2011 | 99.4 | 97.9 |
| 2012 | 99.8 | 98.1 |
| 2013 | 101.9 | 100.9 |
| 2014 | 98.7 | 96.4 |
| 2015 | 101.4 | 99.8 |
| 2016 | 102.1 | 100.1 |
| 2017 | 102.9 | 102.0 |
| 2018 | 99.5 | 99.6 |
| 2019 | 100.9 | 101.5 |
| 2020 | 101.6 | 102.8 |
| 2021 | 99.9 | 101.4 |
| 2022 | 105.6 | 106.1 |
| 2023 | 102.1 | 103.3 |
| 2024 | 101.2 | 103.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,512 in Bangor vs $1,757 in Pittsfield
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Pittsfield, MA
- Bangor, ME
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Pittsfield, MA | Bangor, ME | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | – | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | – | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | – | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | – | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | – | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | – | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $883 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $928 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | – | $937 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | – | $933 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | – | $910 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | – | $939 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | – | $974 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | – | $979 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | – | $966 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | – | $980 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | – | $1,027 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | – | $1,043 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | – | $1,039 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,170 | $1,066 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,262 | $1,127 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,321 | $1,178 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,313 | $1,169 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,321 | $1,191 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,355 | $1,261 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,416 | $1,284 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,414 | $1,268 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,498 | $1,293 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,501 | $1,348 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,487 | $1,316 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,543 | $1,351 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,557 | $1,393 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,582 | $1,383 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,592 | $1,407 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,591 | $1,409 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,600 | $1,420 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,660 | $1,458 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,693 | $1,449 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,671 | $1,457 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,721 | $1,502 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,716 | $1,510 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,757 | $1,512 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $277,000 in Bangor vs $390,000 in Pittsfield
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Pittsfield, MA
- Bangor, ME
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Pittsfield, MA | Bangor, ME | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $203K | $136K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $204K | $138K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $206K | $139K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $209K | $138K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $210K | $138K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $210K | $139K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $210K | $140K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $211K | $141K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $212K | $142K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $213K | $143K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $215K | $145K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $218K | $146K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $220K | $150K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $221K | $152K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $224K | $154K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $226K | $157K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $226K | $157K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $229K | $156K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $231K | $158K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $235K | $161K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $237K | $163K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $240K | $167K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $246K | $173K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $261K | $184K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $273K | $192K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $288K | $204K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $298K | $211K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $302K | $214K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $319K | $226K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $337K | $238K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $338K | $239K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $336K | $238K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $340K | $242K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $350K | $249K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $360K | $254K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $364K | $256K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $364K | $259K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $370K | $264K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $374K | $265K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $376K | $269K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $380K | $274K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $382K | $273K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $384K | $272K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $385K | $274K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $387K | $276K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $390K | $279K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $390K | $277K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.