The 5 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Bangor, ME for 2024

The median cost of assisted living in Bangor is $4,750 per month. Although this is higher than the national average of $4,500, it’s lower than Maine’s average monthly rate of $5,865. Assisted living facilities provide help with daily activities, such as bathing, toileting and medication assistance, for seniors who can no longer live alone. However, it’s not a substitute for those who need the skilled nursing and rehabilitative services provided by nursing homes.

This guide details the costs of senior care in Bangor, compares rates of assisted living across Maine and looks at the pros and cons of retiring in Bangor. It also lists resources for seniors to find support and financial aid.         

The Division of Licensing and Certification of Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services licenses all assisted living and residential care facilities in the state. The division is also responsible for ensuring facilities comply with their licensing terms.

• Living in Bangor is typically more affordable than in many other cities throughout the state and nation. On a 100-point scale, where the United States has a value of 100, the respective figures for Maine and Bangor are 97 and 84. The overall cost of living in Bangor is over 15% lower than the national average. Costs are particularly affordable for housing and transportation.
• Property crime is much more prevalent in Bangor than in many other destinations across the country. When ranked on a scale between 1 and 100, the U.S. average is 35.4, while Bangor’s average is 63.3. Moving to an assisted living facility could enhance peace of mind for seniors and their loved ones. Although property crime is higher, violent crime rates are lower than the national average, with Bangor ranking 16.2 against the U.S. figure of 22.7.  
• Although Maine generally isn’t seen as being particularly tax-friendly for older adults, the state doesn’t tax Social Security benefits or military pensions. Additionally, seniors may qualify for pension tax breaks and homestead tax exemptions.
• The climate in Bangor sees snowy winters and warm summers. Summertime is generally the most comfortable month, and July has the highest average temperatures. January is the coldest month. Bangor has an average of 69 inches of snow each year, which is significantly more than the U.S. average of 28. On average, the city also has fewer sunny days and more rain than U.S. norms.
• In Bangor, air and water qualities are better than national averages. Bangor offers easy access to heath care with 331 physicians per 100,000 residents. This is higher than the U.S. average of 210 doctors for every 100,000 people. The city is home to St. Joseph Hospital, which offers routine, diagnostic and emergency medical services.    

Assisted living costs an average of $4,750 per month in Bangor. Actual rates vary depending on the services detailed in a senior’s care plan and the community’s amenities and activities.

In Bangor, monthly assisted living fees run $250 higher than the national average. However, Bangor’s seniors can expect to pay around $1,115 less than the statewide average of $5,865. At $5,484 per month, Lewiston’s median rate is $700 higher than Bangor’s. Portland has some of the state’s highest costs for assisted living, with facilities typically charging around $6,525 per month. Across the border in Manchester, NH, the average cost increases to $8,061, which is $3,311 higher than in Bangor.

Adult day care is the most affordable care option in Bangor, running $867 per month. It provides daytime senior care in a community setting outside of the home. Seniors who need services at home typically pay $5,720 per month for both in-home and home health care. Residential assisted living provides similar services for almost $1,000 less per month. Bangor seniors who need the highest levels of care generally pay $10,585 for a shared room in a nursing home.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits 
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Maine page.