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Of all the gems in the Pine Tree State, Bangor is the most amazing town with a quaint appeal of streets lined with Victorian houses and established oaks. Sitting on the center of Maine’s vast coastline, Bangor is cold, quiet and easy to fall in love with.

And when someone suggests moving to Bangor, Maine, you need to know that they are talking about settling in one of the most pristine places in the US, which promises more like a dream life.

So what’s it living in Bangor like?

Apart from its breathtaking scenic beauty and silent surroundings, what is the city like? Do you know anything about the businesses, cost of living, houses, safety, taxes, schools, or transport?

Worry not as we’ve got the ultimate Bangor moving guide that covers every bit of the fabulous city.

And let’s now delve more about the hidden gem in the treasure box of Maine.

QuickFacts

Quick facts to know before you move to Bangor, ME

  • Originally known as Kenduskeag or perhaps Cunduskeag, Bangor was incorporated as a town in 1791.
  • Bangor is the third largest settlement in Maine.
  • Bangor was originally the largest lumber port in the world, operating 150 sawmills along the river in the19th century.
  • A majority of the city area is forest.
  • The city is one of the cleanest in the US.
  • It is nicknamed ‘the Queen City’ for being the commerce and trade center of Maine.
  • It is a retiree’s paradise for long years, given the climate, facilities, and infrastructure.
  • Living in Bangor means having access to some of the most stunning landscapes in the United States.

Top 10 things to know before moving to Bangor, ME

  • The city is highly affordable.
  • The housing costs are much lower than the US average.
  • The unemployment is too low here.
  • The winters are chilling but summers are comfortable.
  • Bangor is less diverse in population.
  • The outdoors is amazing.
  • Education is strong in Bangor.
  • There’s a strong food culture.
  • The minimum wages in Bangor is one of the highest in New England.
  • Most of the population is retirees.

What's the population of Bangor, ME?

Despite a growing city, Bangor has just 31,920 residents. And the density is 932 people per square mile. The population is predominantly white and is one of the least diverse in Maine. The population growth is sluggish here and a majority of the residents are retirees and seniors who want to enjoy their golden years.

To know the population better, here are a few stats.

  • Bangor’s total population is 31,920.
  • The population is made up of 47.3% males and 52.7% females.
  • The median age in Bangor is 39.
  • The city population is made up of 90.4% White, 1.5% Black or African American, 2.4% Asian, 0.7 Native Americans, and 2.4% from two or more races.
  • About 2.3% of the population is of Hispanic ethnicity.
  • The median household size in Bangor is 2.1 persons.
  • About 36.5% of the residents are married couples living together.
  • On average, 26.0% of the residents are single and have children.

How fast can you commute to Bangor, ME?

Smaller in size, Bangor also has a low volume of traffic on roads, which contributes to fast commute. And when you reach here, you’ll be happy to note that you spend less time behind the wheels. On average, a Bangor resident spends 16.0 minutes on the road which is much shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.

If you are keen to know how the city residents reach the office regularly, here are the latest stats.

  • About 74.4% drive their car alone
  • About 13.1% carpool with others
  • About 4.2% work from home
  • Approximately 1.5% take mass transit

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What is the weather like in Bangor, ME?

Bangor has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters, and warm summers. The winters are harsh with the temperature going below the freezing level for most of the time while summers are generally mild with temperatures ranging from the high 60s to mid 70s.

Here are a few Bangor weather facts.

  • The city receives about 42 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year.
  • Bangor averages 69 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.
  • On average, the city gets about 177 sunny days per year against the US average of 205 sunny days.
  • The city receives some kind of precipitation, on average, 122 days per year in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
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Top reasons to move to Bangor, ME

You may be wondering what makes Bangor a hot moving destination and we’ve got the reasons. Just take a look at them.

Here are some top reasons for people picking Bangor as their next moving destination.

  • More affordability
  • Low commute time
  • Low earthquake and wildfire risk
  • Good schooling options
  • Many outdoor recreation options
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Pros & Cons of moving to Bangor, ME

When you think about relocating to a new place, analyzing both the merits and demerits is a crucial activity and to help you, we’ve got the best and worst of Bangor.

Cross-check both before you make the final call.

The pros
  • Low sales tax
  • Low risk of natural disasters
  • High government spending
  • Plenty of parks
  • Large open areas around
  • Comfortable humidity
The cons
  • Low house ownership rate
  • Substance abuse is high
  • Harsh winter
  • High wildfire risk
  • High rate of property crime

Best neighborhoods in Bangor, ME

Once you reach Bangor, your priority is to settle in a decent neighborhood which promises good quality of life as well as facilities.

Despite being smaller in size, Bangor has got many decent neighborhoods within and nearby areas. We’ve filtered out the best places to live here.

Here are the 10 best neighborhoods in Bangor to rent or buy a house.

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value
1. Veazie 1,900 $285,700
2. Orono 10,751 $286,700
3. Hampden 7,394 $319,900
4. Orrington 3,694 $305,900
5. Glenburn 4,546 $293,600
6. Brewer 9,026 $285,100
7. Newburgh 1,600 $291,300
8. Clifton 1,086 $246,800
9. Hermon 5,691 $331,000
10. Millinocket 4,280 $143,900

Tip:When you’ve got a home to move in Bangor, ME, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.

Cost of living in Bangor, ME

Are you concerned about the expenses in Bangor? Breathe easy and Bangor is highly affordable.

Almost everything here ranging from healthcare, transportation, and home rent is lower than the national average. The average monthly cost of living is $1,966 which is in the top 20% of the most expensive cities in the world.

Here is a break-up of the cost of living in Bangor, ME.

Living Expense Bangor Maine National Average
Overall 84 97 100
Grocery 105.3 107.1 100
Health 68.1 96.5 100
Housing 21 103.45 100
Median Home Cost $237,200 $334,000 $338,100
Utilities 106.8 103.6 100
Transportation 68.9 79.2 100
Miscellaneous 87.8 92.2 100
Job Market

How is the job market in Bangor, ME?

The Bangor job market seems promising with a projected job growth of 19.82%, significantly higher than the national average of 30.54%.

The economy is going strong and it is easier to find a job here than most cities in Maine. The prominent sectors in the city include finance, service & retail, tourism, healthcare, manufacturing, and military installations. And if you’ve a preference for any of these sectors, finding a job will be a cakewalk.

And we’ve got a few job-related facts in Bangor, which may benefit you.

  • The job growth in Bangor has been positive.
  • The future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 19.82%.
  • The unemployment rate here is 4.6%.
  • Jobs have increased by 0.5% over the past year.
  • The average salary in Banger is $45,405.
  • The median household income of a Bangor resident is $32,645 a year.
  • The median home cost in Bangor is $237,200.

Here is a breakdown table to better understand the Bangor job market.

Employment Information Bangor, Maine United States
The income per Cap $32,265 $31,177
Household Income $49,652 $57,652
Unemployment Rate 4.9 6.0%
Recent Job Growth -5.26% -6.18%
Future Job Growth 26.03% 33.51%

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Fastest growing jobs in Bangor, ME

Bangor is pretty in terms of nature but at the same time is also a booming place with many jobs available. And when you plan to relocate here, it is good to have a list of the fastest growing jobs which makes things easier during the job hunt.

Here are the top 10 fastest-growing jobs in Bangor, ME.

Rank Job Title Average salary Growth%
1 Nurse practictioner $89,600 147.8%
2 Physician assistant $101,230 144.6%
3 Physical therapist $71,080 141.2%
4 Business Analyst $85,530 137.8%
5 Registered nurse $69,130 129.3%
6 Customer service representative $37,220 128.2%
7 Information technology manager $99,980 122.0%
8 Medical assistant $29,370 118.7%
9 Management consultant $59.650 111.4%
10 Dental assistant $41,500 109.4%
11 Medical records clerk $37,100 105.1%

Top career options in Bangor, ME

The package is always vital while searching for a job. You prefer a job with a heavy pay slip and this works even in Bangor. Knowing this, we’ve collated the jobs that offer best pay in the city.

Rank Job Title Average salary Entry level salary
1 Family medicine physician $206,830 $120,550
2 Dentists, general $165,320 $61,500
3 Architectural & engineering managers $154,260 $98,360
4 Pharmacists $130,030 $97,520
5 Personal financial advisors $129,500 $60,560
6 Chief executives $125,770 $73,570
7 Financial managers $121,140 $74,250
8 Physician assistants $121,070 $100,230
9 Nurse practitioners $121,050 $96,640
10 Marketing managers $120,490 $74,060

What's the average salary & income in Bangor, ME?

As you are in the last leg of the moving process, you will be curious to know about the salary patterns in Bangor. Fortunately, Bangor has good job options and the salaries you receive will also be fair. The average salary in Bangor is $45,405 and anything above $37k is good enough to comfortably live.

Here are a few informative points related to the average salary and income in Bangor, ME.

  • Bangor’s average annual pay for average jobs is $45,405 a year
  • Bangor’s average hourly pay for average jobs is $21.0 an hour
  • Bangor’s average weekly pay for average jobs is $811 per week
  • Bangor’s average monthly pay for average jobs is $3,750 per month
  • Bangor’s top earners (90th percentile) make $85,000 annually

Major industries in Bangor, ME

Though Bangor is smaller in size, it has many businesses such as tourism, retail, and healthcare that employ hundreds of residents. And if you are keen to know the most prominent industries here, we’ve got a list of the major industries in Bangor that will help you know whether your proficiency and knowledge will be beneficial here.

Here are the major industries in Bangor, ME

  • Finance
  • Service & retail
  • Tourism
  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing
  • Military installations

Best companies to work for if you’re moving to Bangor, ME

While you’re in Bangor for job purposes, your preference will be the best companies, which also refers to being employee-friendly here. And fortunately, Bangor has no shortage of such organizations. We’ve prepared a list of the top 10 among them. Go through the best companies which will help you tweak the search list while job hunting.

Here’s our best company list.

  • St. Joseph Healthcare
  • The Acadia Hospital
  • Bangor High School
  • Cross Financial Corp.
  • Central Maine & Quebec Railway
  • Bdn Maine
  • Tip Whip
  • C & L Aviation Group
  • KFI
  • Eastern Maine Community College

How is the housing market in Bangor, Maine?

One of the biggest pluses of relocating to Bangor is the home prices. Despite its infrastructure and small-size, the property prices really fit into the pocket. As per the latest stats, the current average home value is $237,200, much lower than the national average.

We’ve got the latest city housing facts for you.

  • Bangor's median home cost is $237,200.
  • The median age of Bangor’s real estate is 61 years old.
  • The city’s home appreciation in the last 10 years has been 79.9%.
  • Renters make up 50.6% of the Bangor population.
  • About 3.8% of houses and apartments in Bangor are available to rent.

Average rental prices in Bangor, Maine

Once you reach Bangor, the initial days will be a rented home and you will be eager to know the average home rent here. Fortunately, you’ll find houses here at a lower rent than nearby areas. This means, renting a normal home won’t burn your wallet. We’ve researched the average home rental in the city and the details may help you.

  • Bangor ‘s rent for a studio apartment is $880
  • Bangor’s average rent for a 1-bedroom home or apartment is $930
  • Bangor’s average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $1,220
  • Bangor’s average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $1,530
  • Bangor’s average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is $1,660

What are taxes like in Bangor, ME?

The taxes levied will greatly impact your takeaway salary and this plays a major role in determining whether your moving to Bangor is a good idea.

It is normal to be curious about the taxes here and we’ve collated a few facts about it.

Here are a few tax-related facts in Bangor, ME.

  • The sales tax rate for Bangor is 5.5%. The US average is 7.3%.
  • The income tax rate for Bangor is 7.2%. The US average is 4.6%.
  • The average property tax rate in Bangor is 1.09%.

What are the best things to do in Bangor, Maine?

Moving to Bangor, you are closer to nature and this gives a wide range of activities to get engaged every weekend.

The city is a center of both outdoor and indoor activities and based on your choice, you may decide on what to do here.

We’ve got a list of the 10 best things to do in Bangor.

  • Tour Stephen King's ‘Derry’
  • Visit the Cole Land Transportation Museum
  • See the Paul Bunyan Statue
  • Watch a play at the Penobscot Theatre Company
  • Take a walk through the Mount Hope Garden Cemetery
  • Wander along the Penobscot River Walkway
  • Try your luck at the Hollywood Casino
  • Hike or bike through the Bangor City Forest
  • Take the kids to the Maine Discovery Museum
  • Attend a concert at the Bangor Waterfront Pavilion

How safe is Bangor, ME?

Bangor is one of the safest places to raise a family in Maine as the crime rate is much lower than the US average. The violent crime rate is 16.2 per 1000 people. The city is safer than 3% of the US cities and your chance of being a violent crime in Bangor is 1 in 499. About 50% of the residents feel completely safe here.

To help you know the crime stats in Bangor, we’ve got a few facts.

  • The violent crime rate in Bangor is 16.2 while the US average is 22.7.
  • The city’s property crime is 63.3 while the US average is 35.4.
  • Your chance of being a violent crime victim here is 1 in 499.
  • Your chance of being a property crime victim is 1 in 22 in Bangor.
  • About 50% of Bangor's population feels safe in the city.

Tip:Often, you feel like calculating the moving cost before you connect with a moving company. To help you, we've got a free moving cost calculator.

What are the top schools in Bangor, ME?

Bangor ranks high when it comes to education and the city is home to many good schools and colleges.

If you are moving here with your family, your child’s education will not be a problem at all. To help you, we’ve prepared a list of top educational institutions with their rankings.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Bangor is famous for its pristine setting along the coastline of Maine. The nature is amazingly beautiful and it is also a famous hub for outdoor activities with plenty of open areas and mountains.

The winters are harsh in Bangor where it snows heavily and often the snowfall touches 68 inches, affecting the normal life. However, that makes Bangor a good place to enjoy winter sports but most residents prefer summer which is warm and comfortable to venture out.

Bangor is one of the most affordable cities in Maine with the average living cost being 16.7% lower than the national average. With a low unemployment rate and affordable housing, it becomes easier to own one and raise a family.

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