Is Bismarck expensive to live in?

Bismarck is among the more affordable of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $803 per month ranks #138 of 158 and is 23% lower than the $1,043 median.

What is the average rent in Bismarck?

Average rent in Bismarck, ND runs a studio around $723, a one-bedroom around $803, a two-bedroom around $989, a three-bedroom around $1,421 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Bismarck?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $803 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year. The median household income here is $77,608.

How much does it cost to live in Bismarck per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Bismarck is about $960 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Bismarck, ND

Population 74,146 · North Dakota

~$960/mo est.1BR $803Home $291,400

Compare with:

The cost of living in Bismarck, ND is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $803 a month — 23% lower than the $1,043 median across the 158 large US cities we track. Studios average $723 and two-bedrooms $989.

Median household income here is $77,608, 15% higher than the $67,696 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $960 before food and transport. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $803

Studio

$723

1 Bedroom

$803

2 Bedroom

$989

3 Bedroom

$1,421

Buying a Home$291,400

Median Home Value

$291,400

Income$77,608

Median Household Income

$77,608

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesMidwest

Milk (gal)

$4.31

Bread (lb)

$1.66

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, Midwest (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities14.1¢/kWh

Electricity

14.1¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$18.21/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-06-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.85/gal

Regular Gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2))

$3.85/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-31.

State Taxes (ND)5% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 2.50%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime278 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

278

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

2,417.1

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Bismarck Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 38.2 yrs

Median Age

38.2 yrs

Homeownership

65.8%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

Avg Commute

15.5 min

Climate43.0°F

Avg Annual Temperature

43.0°F

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

Bismarck cost of living — FAQ

Is Bismarck expensive to live in?: Bismarck is among the more affordable of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $803 per month ranks #138 of 158 and is 23% lower than the $1,043 median.
What is the average rent in Bismarck?: Average rent in Bismarck, ND runs a studio around $723, a one-bedroom around $803, a two-bedroom around $989, a three-bedroom around $1,421 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Bismarck?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $803 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year. The median household income here is $77,608.
How much does it cost to live in Bismarck per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Bismarck is about $960 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Bismarck with nearby cities

Bismarck vs Aberdeen Bismarck vs Fargo Bismarck vs Grand Forks Bismarck vs Rapid City Bismarck vs Sioux Falls Bismarck vs Billings

Nearby cities

Aberdeen, SD 144 mi Fargo, ND 189 mi Grand Forks, ND 192 mi Rapid City, SD 223 mi Sioux Falls, SD 300 mi Billings, MT 375 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.