Cost of Living in Bismarck, ND
Bismarck, ND — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Bismarck, ND to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Bismarck, ND?
With a price level of 91.0 (U.S. average = 100), Bismarck, ND is cheaper than average. In detail, housing costs are 16% below average; everyday goods are 4% below average; utilities are 25% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining are 9% below average. The biggest difference from the national average is in utilities.
Prices in Bismarck, ND vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.0 | −9.0% |
| Housing | 84.0 | −16.0% |
| Goods | 95.7 | −4.3% |
| Utilities | 75.0 | −25.0% |
| Other services | 91.2 | −8.8% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Bismarck, ND
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $961 | $38,440/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,030 | $41,200/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,175 | $47,000/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,634 | $65,360/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,884 | $75,360/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Bismarck, ND
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Bismarck, ND | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $36,400 | $31,427 |
| $60,000 | $54,600 | $46,051 |
| $80,000 | $72,800 | $59,884 |
| $100,000 | $91,000 | $72,333 |
| $150,000 | $136,500 | $103,161 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, North Dakota 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Bismarck, ND's median wage of $52,560 takes home about $3,701 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,030, which is 28% of take-home pay — within the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,671 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Bismarck, ND
- Federal income tax$4,127
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,259
- Medicare (1.45%)$762
- North Dakota income tax$0
- Take-home pay$44,412
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in Bismarck, ND
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,120 | $65,575 | $72,042 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in North Dakota cities
Half of North Dakota’s 429,430 workers earn less than $52,480 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $38,600–$75,810 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Bismarck, ND stretches a paycheck furthest, while Fargo, ND is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND | $51,050 | 90.9 | $917 | 25% | $2,683 | $47,538 |
| Bismarck, ND | $52,560 | 91.0 | $1,030 | 28% | $2,671 | $48,791 |
| Grand Forks, ND | $49,760 | 86.7 | $868 | 25% | $2,646 | $48,651 |
| Minot, ND | $48,940 | 87.0 | $948 | 27% | $2,511 | $47,690 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Bismarck, ND vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | 91.0 | $1,030 | $52,560 | 71,270 |
| Redding, CA | 100.7 | $1,212 | $48,920 | 71,550 |
| Lexington Park, MD | 100.8 | $1,753 | $63,990 | 70,650 |
| Bozeman, MT | 102.5 | $1,642 | $54,830 | 72,210 |
| Bangor, ME | 96.5 | $1,218 | $47,960 | 72,270 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 98.3 | $1,302 | $47,750 | 72,280 |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | 98.3 | $1,309 | $46,330 | 72,300 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Bismarck, ND expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Bismarck, ND metro area are 91.0% of the U.S. average, with housing at 84.0%. It is the #268 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Bismarck, ND?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $54,614 in Bismarck, ND (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $52,560.
Can you afford Bismarck, ND on the median wage?
A single worker on the $52,560 median wage takes home about $3,701 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,030 would take 28% of that.
How much is rent in Bismarck, ND?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Bismarck, ND are $961 for a studio, $1,030 for one bedroom, $1,175 for two bedrooms and $1,634 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Bismarck, ND
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $81,120