Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Boise?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $45,000 in Boise.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Boise?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Boise Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Boise

Idaho

$1,280/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,280 in Boise, ID. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $81,308 in Boise, ID — about 5% higher in Boise, ID. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Boise, ID

Rent

Studio

$723

$1,021

+41% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,133

+41% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,342

+36% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,749

+23% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$456,000

+56% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$81,308

+5% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$49,100

+7% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

about equal

Homeownership

65.8%

63.0%

+2.8 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

46.6%

+7.9 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

15.5 min

19.1 min

+3.6 min in Boise, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

301

+8% in Boise, ID

Property Crime

2,417.1

1,135.1

+53% in Bismarck, ND

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

43.0°F

52.5°F

+9.5°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

11.7 in

+6.1 in in Bismarck, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Boise, ID

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.4

+2% in Boise, ID

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$11.33

+38% in Bismarck, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / ID)

+1.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

5.30%

+2.8 pp in ID

Bismarck vs Boise — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Boise?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Boise?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $45,000 in Boise.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Boise?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).