CostIndexUSA

Bangor, ME vs Jersey City, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableME
Bangor
96.5
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
NJ
Jersey City
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

Bangor is significantly cheaper than Jersey City — 16.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bangor, you would need $93,300 in Jersey City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+91.2%
Bangor
77.7
Jersey City
148.6
🛒 Groceries+13.5%
Bangor
97.2
Jersey City
110.3
🚗 Transportation+2.5%
Bangor
108.4
Jersey City
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+2.6%
Bangor
98
Jersey City
100.5
Utilities5.8%
Bangor
134.8
Jersey City
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Bangor to see what you'd need to earn in Jersey City to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Jersey City, NJ
$93,300
$13,300 more needed in Jersey City

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 96.5) = salary × 1.1668. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bangor, ME

Median Home Price
$265,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
77.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.2×

Jersey City, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Jersey City has 91.2% higher housing costs compared to Bangor.

Income & Job Market

Bangor, ME

Median Household Income
$66,300
Per Capita Income
$37,800
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
Population
31,753
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationRetailManufacturingGovernment

Jersey City, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
292,449
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareTechnologyRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Bangor, ME
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Jersey City, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.