Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Boston?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 58% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $79,000 in Boston.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Boston?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Boston Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $2,290 in Boston, MA. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 58% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $94,755 in Boston, MA — about 18% higher in Boston, MA. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Boston, MA

Rent

Studio

$723

$1,890

+161% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,978

+146% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$989

$2,155

+118% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$2,234

+57% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$710,400

+144% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$94,755

+22% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$66,620

+27% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

33.2 yr

+5.0 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

35.4%

+30.4 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

54.1%

+15.4 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

15.5 min

30.2 min

+14.7 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

630.2

+127% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

2,417.1

2,030.8

+16% 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

51.5°F

+8.5°F in Boston, MA

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

43.8 in

+25.9 in in Boston, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.07/gal

+6% in Boston, MA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

29.6

+110% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$30.66

+68% in Boston, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Boston, MA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Boston, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Boston, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / MA)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

9.00%

+6.5 pp in MA

Bismarck vs Boston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Boston?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 58% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Boston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $79,000 in Boston.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Boston?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).