Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Chicago?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $50,000 in Chicago.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Chicago?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Chicago under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Chicago Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Chicago

Illinois

$1,470/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,470 in Chicago, IL. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $75,134 in Chicago, IL — about 3% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Chicago, IL

Rent

Studio

$723

$1,186

+64% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,258

+57% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,406

+42% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,554

+9% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$315,200

+8% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$75,134

+3% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$54,720

+4% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

35.7 yr

+2.5 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

45.5%

+20.3 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

43.3%

+4.6 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

15.5 min

33.5 min

+18.0 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

539.8

+94% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

2,417.1

3,489.9

+44% in Chicago, IL

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

52.7°F

+9.7°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

38.0 in

+20.1 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.24/gal

+10% in Chicago, IL

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Chicago.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.50

Adult base one-way fare — — vs CTA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

19.9

+41% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$19.71

+8% in Chicago, IL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / IL)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

4.95%

+2.5 pp in IL

Bismarck vs Chicago — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Chicago?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Chicago?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $50,000 in Chicago.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Chicago?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Chicago under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% 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).