Is it cheaper to live in Anchorage or Bismarck?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Anchorage, AK's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Anchorage than in Bismarck?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Anchorage versus $32,000 in Bismarck.

Which has lower taxes, Anchorage or Bismarck?

Anchorage is taxed under Alaska's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Bismarck under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Anchorage vs Bismarck Cost of Living 2026

Anchorage

Alaska

$1,330/mo est.

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,330 in Anchorage, AK versus $960 in Bismarck, ND. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anchorage, AK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $98,152 in Anchorage, AK and $77,608 in Bismarck, ND — about 21% higher in Anchorage, AK. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Anchorage, AK

Bismarck, ND

Rent

Studio

$1,001

$723

+28% in Anchorage, AK

1 Bedroom

$1,052

$803

+24% in Anchorage, AK

2 Bedroom

$1,433

$989

+31% in Anchorage, AK

3 Bedroom

$1,952

$1,421

+27% in Anchorage, AK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$375,900

$291,400

+22% in Anchorage, AK

Income

Median Household Income

$98,152

$77,608

+21% in Anchorage, AK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,200

$52,560

+13% in Anchorage, AK

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

38.2 yr

+3.3 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

63.7%

65.8%

+2.1 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.7%

38.7%

+1.0 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

19.0 min

15.5 min

+3.5 min in Anchorage, AK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,016.5

278

+73% in Anchorage, AK

Property Crime

2,796.2

2,417.1

+14% in Anchorage, AK

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

37.4°F

43.0°F

+5.6°F in Bismarck, ND

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

+0.1 in in Anchorage, AK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.85/gal

+26% in Anchorage, AK

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

28.2

14.1

+50% in Anchorage, AK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.35

$18.21

+5% in Bismarck, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Anchorage, AK

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Anchorage, AK

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Anchorage, AK

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Anchorage, AK

Average prices — West vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AK / ND)

None

+5.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

None

2.50%

+2.5 pp in ND

Anchorage vs Bismarck — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anchorage or Bismarck?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Anchorage, AK's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anchorage than in Bismarck?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Anchorage versus $32,000 in Bismarck.
Which has lower taxes, Anchorage or Bismarck?: Anchorage is taxed under Alaska's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Bismarck under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).