Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Charleston?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Charleston, SC's $1,620, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $57,000 in Charleston.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Charleston?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Charleston under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Charleston Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Charleston

South Carolina

$1,620/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,620 in Charleston, SC. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 41% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Charleston, SC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $90,038 in Charleston, SC — about 14% higher in Charleston, SC. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Charleston, SC

Rent

Studio

$723

$1,579

+118% in Charleston, SC

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,430

+78% in Charleston, SC

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,684

+70% in Charleston, SC

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$2,076

+46% in Charleston, SC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$469,100

+61% in Charleston, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$90,038

+16% in Charleston, SC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$49,150

+6% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

36.1 yr

+2.1 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

55.6%

+10.2 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

57.7%

+19.0 pp in Charleston, SC

Avg Commute

15.5 min

23.8 min

+8.3 min in Charleston, SC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

358.8

+29% in Charleston, SC

Property Crime

2,417.1

2,035.1

+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

66.7°F

+23.7°F in Charleston, SC

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

44.4 in

+26.6 in in Charleston, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Charleston, SC

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

15.6

+10% in Charleston, SC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$29.07

+60% in Charleston, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Bismarck, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Charleston, SC

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Bismarck, ND

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / SC)

+1.0 pp in SC

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

6.00%

+3.5 pp in SC

Bismarck vs Charleston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Charleston?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Charleston, SC's $1,620, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Charleston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $57,000 in Charleston.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Charleston?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Charleston under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% 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).