Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Cheyenne?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Cheyenne, WY's $990, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $33,000 in Cheyenne.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Cheyenne?

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

Bismarck vs Cheyenne Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Cheyenne

Wyoming

$990/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $990 in Cheyenne, WY. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cheyenne, WY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $77,176 in Cheyenne, WY — about 1% 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

Cheyenne, WY

Rent

Studio

$723

$756

+5% in Cheyenne, WY

1 Bedroom

$803

$824

+3% in Cheyenne, WY

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,036

+5% in Cheyenne, WY

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,478

+4% in Cheyenne, WY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$311,200

+7% in Cheyenne, WY

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$77,176

+1% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$51,540

+2% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

38.9 yr

+0.7 yr in Cheyenne, WY

Homeownership

65.8%

67.7%

+1.9 pp in Cheyenne, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

32.9%

+5.8 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

15.5 min

16.1 min

+0.6 min in Cheyenne, WY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

334.6

+20% in Cheyenne, WY

Property Crime

2,417.1

3,030.3

+25% in Cheyenne, WY

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

46.5°F

+3.5°F in Cheyenne, WY

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

15.9 in

+1.9 in in Bismarck, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Cheyenne, WY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

15.2

+8% in Cheyenne, WY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$18.28

+0% in Cheyenne, WY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Cheyenne, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Cheyenne, WY

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Cheyenne, WY

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Cheyenne, 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 Cheyenne — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Cheyenne?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Cheyenne, WY's $990, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Cheyenne?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $33,000 in Cheyenne.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Cheyenne?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Cheyenne 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).