B+
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
22%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Bismarck North Dakota National
Cost of living10594100
Goods & Services9896100
Groceries9493100
Health care113111100
Housing12285100
Transportation100100100
Utilities9199100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Bismarck, ND

Understanding the cost of living in Bismarck can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Bismarck cost of living index is 105, which is 5% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

The cost of living in Bismarck closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Bismarck can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Bismarck cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 22.1% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Bismarck?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 20 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Bismarck and this is how they responded. 75% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 25% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Bismarck Affordable?

Is Bismarck affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Bismarck, the median home price is 34.9% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 7.9% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Bismarck boasting a median household income of $67,629, 22.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Bismarck?

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Bismarck, the general sales tax rate starts at 5%, and income tax rates begin at 1.1%.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Bismarck, the transportation index is 0.2% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Bismarck, the groceries index is 5.9% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Bismarck cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Bismarck is 12% higher than the North Dakota average
  • The cost of living in Bismarck is 5% higher than the national average
  • Bismarck housing is 22% higher than the national average
  • North Dakota general sales tax is 2% lower than the national average
  • North Dakota state income tax is 58% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Bismarck

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Compare Bismarck, ND Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$87,407$7,284$2,039$2,622
      Renters$40,900$3,408$954$1,227
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Bismarck, ND, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Bismarck homeowners, is $87,407. This would allow for a maximum of $2,039 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $40,900 which would result in a maximum of $954 to be spent on rental costs.

      North Dakota Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      North Dakota 5% 8%

      North Dakota Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      North Dakota 1.1% 2.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Bismarck National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.67$24.262.5%
      Beauty Salon $42.24$45.567.3%
      Toothpaste $4.05$3.709.3%
      Shampoo $1.10$1.2814.1%
      Movie $12.00$12.131.1%
      Bowling $15.33$18.0014.8%

      Groceries

      Item Bismarck National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.29$5.849.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.38$1.5712.3%
      Milk $4.49$4.674.0%
      Potatoes $4.63$4.936.2%
      Pizza $12.39$12.092.5%
      Beer $10.56$10.411.4%

      Health Care

      Item Bismarck National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $122.20$125.682.8%
      Doctor $182.31$135.7834.3%
      Dentist $115.17$113.291.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.21$10.654.2%
      Lipitor $544.10$468.6016.1%

      Housing

      Item Bismarck National avg. Difference
      Home Price $249,200.00$184,700.0034.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,313.86$2,346.691.4%
      Apartment Rent $874.00$949.007.9%

      Transportation

      Item Bismarck National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.34$3.463.5%
      Tire Balancing $64.60$59.927.8%

      Utilities

      Item Bismarck National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $166.66$193.9914.1%
      Phone $192.28$192.250.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Mandan, ND22,4821021.7%
      Menoken, ND611032.6%
      Lincoln, ND4,1401065.6%
      Harmon, ND22813838.1%
      Bismarck, ND73,4351054.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cheektowaga, NY73,4578811.9%
      Schaumburg, IL73,39211616.3%
      Apple Valley, CA73,33911818.4%
      Flagstaff, AZ73,31912928.7%
      Ellicott City, MD73,27215150.7%
      Bismarck, ND73,4351054.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.