Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Casper?

Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Bismarck, ND's $960, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $31,000 in Casper.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Casper?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Casper Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Casper

Wyoming

$930/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $930 in Casper, WY. Overall, Casper, WY is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bismarck, ND, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $69,171 in Casper, WY — about 11% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Casper, WY

Rent

Studio

$723

$730

+1% in Casper, WY

1 Bedroom

$803

$764

+5% in Bismarck, ND

2 Bedroom

$989

$930

+6% in Bismarck, ND

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,299

+9% in Bismarck, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$250,700

+14% in Bismarck, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$69,171

+11% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$48,880

+7% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

37.0 yr

+1.2 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

70.3%

+4.5 pp in Casper, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

30.0%

+8.7 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

15.5 min

16.9 min

+1.4 min in Casper, WY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

302.4

+9% in Casper, WY

Property Crime

2,417.1

2,123.8

+12% 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

45.4°F

+2.4°F in Casper, WY

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

12.5 in

+5.3 in in Bismarck, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Casper, WY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

15.2

+8% in Casper, WY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$18.28

+0% in Casper, WY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Casper, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Casper, WY

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Casper, WY

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Casper, WY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / WY)

+1.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

None

+2.5 pp in ND

Bismarck vs Casper — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Casper?: Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Bismarck, ND's $960, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Casper?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $31,000 in Casper.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Casper?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% 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).