Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Bismarck?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $32,000 in Bismarck.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Bismarck?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Bismarck under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Bismarck Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Baltimore, MD versus $960 in Bismarck, ND. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Baltimore, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $77,608 in Bismarck, ND — about 23% higher in Bismarck, ND. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Bismarck, ND

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$723

+31% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$803

+25% in Baltimore, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$989

+27% in Baltimore, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,421

+9% in Baltimore, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$291,400

+33% in Bismarck, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$77,608

+30% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$52,560

+11% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

38.2 yr

+2.1 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

47.5%

65.8%

+18.3 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

38.7%

+3.3 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

29.4 min

15.5 min

+13.9 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

278

+83% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

2,417.1

+42% in Baltimore, MD

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

61.4°F

43.0°F

+18.4°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

17.9 in

+24.6 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Baltimore, MD

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

Adult base one-way fare — MTA Maryland vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.1

+35% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$18.21

+19% in Baltimore, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Bismarck, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Baltimore, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Bismarck, ND

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / ND)

+1.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

2.50%

+4.0 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Bismarck — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Bismarck?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Bismarck?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $32,000 in Bismarck.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Bismarck?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% 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).