CostIndexUSA

Bangor, ME vs Santa Barbara, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableME
Bangor
96.5
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
CA
Santa Barbara
108.8
overall index
$2,275/mo rent

Bangor is moderately cheaper than Santa Barbara — 12.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bangor, you would need $90,200 in Santa Barbara. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+94.9%
Bangor
77.7
Santa Barbara
151.4
🛒 Groceries+8.2%
Bangor
97.2
Santa Barbara
105.2
🚗 Transportation2.9%
Bangor
108.4
Santa Barbara
105.3
🏥 Healthcare2.8%
Bangor
98
Santa Barbara
95.3
Utilities+11.1%
Bangor
134.8
Santa Barbara
149.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Barbara, CA
$90,200
$10,200 more needed in Santa Barbara

Formula: salary × (108.8 ÷ 96.5) = salary × 1.1275. 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×

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Home Price
$510,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,275
Housing Index
151.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Santa Barbara has 94.9% 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

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
Population
88,255
Top Industries
EducationTourismTechnologyHealthcareBiotechnology

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)

Santa Barbara, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.