7 Best Places to Live in Maine
Open to exploring your options? Discover other great cities in Maine with our detailed guide.
Median Age
41 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
20%
Over 65
21%
Bangor
Bangor, ME Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,238
Population
33,076
Renter Mix
56% Rent
Enjoy big-city amenities and small-town comforts in central Maine
Scenic
•
Riverside
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Historic
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Laidback
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Affordable
•
College Town
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Welcome to Bangor, Maine's third-largest city, situated along the Penobscot River. This historic community, known as the "Queen City of the East," offers renters a range of housing options from converted Victorian homes to contemporary apartment communities. Current average rents range from $780 for studios to $1,373 for three-bedroom units, with modest increases of 1.4-1.8% across different unit sizes over the past year. The Broadway District showcases stunning 19-century architecture, while downtown Bangor features local shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
The city's cultural landscape includes the University of Maine Museum of Art, the Maine Discovery Museum, and the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. The 680-acre Bangor City Forest provides trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Entertainment options include performances at the Cross Insurance Center and the Maine Savings Amphitheater. The 31-foot Paul Bunyan statue stands as a testament to the city's logging heritage, while the Bangor Public Library serves as an architectural centerpiece. With Husson University and Eastern Maine Community College nearby, the city maintains strong educational ties. Bangor's history as the "Lumber Capital of the World" is reflected in its preserved Victorian architecture, a reminder of its significant role in 19th-century commerce.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$51,548
Average: $72,698
Education
10,974
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
16,148
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Bangor has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
56%
Non-Renters
44%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
27%
Other Education
73%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Bangor, ME is $874 for a studio, $1,238 for one bedroom, $1,296 for two bedrooms, and $1,420 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Bangor has decreased by -2.6% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,238/month
596 Sq Ft
House
$1,900/month
842 Sq Ft
Learn More About Bangor
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Bangor, ME is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
40
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
334 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
158 Students
Public
Grades K-5
240 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
199 Students
Public
Grades K-5
231 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
364 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
364 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,107 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Maine Discovery Museum
- Challenger Learning Center of Maine
- Shackford Head State Park
- West Penjajawoc Grasslands
- Allagash State Wilderness Waterway
Airports
- Bangor International
Colleges
Top Apartments in Bangor
Houses for Rent in Bangor
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Nearby House Rentals
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.