Firstly why Bangor, Maine?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Bangor
• State: Maine
• Population: 32,836 people
• Bangor’s quick summary would be If you’re from Bangor, you’ve driven past the giant Paul Bunyan statue downtown and heard all about Stephen King’s house on West Broadway.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 4,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 4,000 annually
• Net Migration: 0 no real change annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 300
• Number of Homeless people: 100

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it known for its unique culture and proximity to outdoor activities appealing to retirees

Perk #1: Bangor Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 38%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 69%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is White
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly Hispanic
• The median income is (and growing)  $50,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Bangor is $53,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $3000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Bangor’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 100 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $1,962
• Property Tax %: 1.24%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,000
• Rent for an average house: $1,400
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Little City
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Winterport, and probably could include Orono
• Avg. Age of Homes in Bangor: 74 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.1%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Bangor’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Bangor are  Healthcare, Retail, and Education
• Bangor Job Scene: stable job market focusing on healthcare and education
• The General Tech Scene: modest tech presence primarily in local services and healthcare , ,
• Bangor Resident’s pay $800 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Bangor: 5%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 60 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 6

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Bangor

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $95 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-95 runs through Bangor linking it to southern Maine
• Commute Time: 20 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic slowing on Broadway
• Transportation Score: 29 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Bangor: 20,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.6
• No. of Car Washes: 3 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Bangor: maine.gov/sos/bmv
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 60 of 100
• Local Airport: Bangor International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Bangor’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Winter storms
• General Weather in Bangor is best described as has a humid continental climate with cold snowy winters mild summers and seasonal changes featuring vibrant colors during spring and autumn
• Winter Weather in Bangor i’d describe as very cold with snow
• Spring Weather in Bangor can be described as cool and rainy
• Summer’s in Bangor are mostly mild and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Bangor is usually cool and crisp
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 0 days in summer
• Days in a row in Bangor below Freezing: 56
• Average Annual Rainfall: 45 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality generally with low pollution sources
• Bangor Winter Air generally good air quality with limited urban influence

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Bangor Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Bangor 1
• While the number of trade schools inside Bangors’s city limits are 1
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Bangor Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Bangor Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 8 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Bangor only Doctors is about 30
• Local Hospitals here is  2
• Full-time Bangor only Police Officers is about 200
• Crime Rate Index: 15/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Bangor’s Monthly utility bill average is $95
• Bangor’s Monthly Gym Membership: $38
• Bangor’s Water Quality Score: 82

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Bangor

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 4 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: city known for its cultural events and natural beauty
• You might enjoy live music at the Bangor Opera House
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Bangor  features local bars and restaurants creating a cozy atmosphere for friendly gatherings in the community

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Bangor

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Features local seafood and a mix of casual dining options
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 20 scattered around Bangor
• The Popular Sports Team is Bangor High School
• Top Level Political Climate in Bangor can be described as politically mixed city with a strong emphasis on community and local governance
• Bangor’s Longer standing religious establishment is St. John’s Catholic Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Bangor Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Bangor has 30 Parks?
• Bangor City Forest is Bangor’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Bangor Farmers Market normally open Saturday 9am-1pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, fishing, and biking

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Bangor Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Bangor can be described as quiet pace with a strong community focus and outdoor activities
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Bangor hiking nature trails community events picnics at parks
• The Cities people commute to from Bangor are Brewer 4 miles away Orono 12 miles away Hampden 10 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Bangor or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: traffic slowing on Broadway. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Bangor’s Winter storms risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Little City is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Bangor are Brewer 4 miles away Orono 12 miles away Hampden 10 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 15 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Bangor has 56 days in a row below freezing and 0 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Bangor people have an average (positive or negative) $3000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   100 homeless people living in Bangor. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general politically mixed city with a strong emphasis on community and local governance could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Bangor.

Retiree & Senior Life in Bangor

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may qualify for property tax exemptions enhancing financial stability
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Winterberry Heights
• Bangor Senior Center provides health workshops social events and diverse recreational activities

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Bangor, Maine?

If Bangor, Maine ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Bangor, Maine, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!