Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Cleveland?

Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Bismarck, ND's $960, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $29,000 in Cleveland.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Cleveland?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Cleveland under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Cleveland Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Cleveland

Ohio

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $940 in Cleveland, OH. Overall, Cleveland, OH is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bismarck, ND, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $39,187 in Cleveland, OH — about 50% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Cleveland, OH

Rent

Studio

$723

$678

+6% in Bismarck, ND

1 Bedroom

$803

$732

+9% in Bismarck, ND

2 Bedroom

$989

$903

+9% in Bismarck, ND

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,081

+24% in Bismarck, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$94,100

+68% in Bismarck, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$39,187

+50% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$50,140

+5% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

36.3 yr

+1.9 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

41.2%

+24.6 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

21.3%

+17.4 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

15.5 min

22.9 min

+7.4 min in Cleveland, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

1,582

+469% in Cleveland, OH

Property Crime

2,417.1

4,531.3

+87% in Cleveland, OH

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 Cleveland, OH

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

36.4 in

+18.5 in in Cleveland, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.80/gal

+1% in Bismarck, ND

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Ohio.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

19.2

+36% in Cleveland, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$22.83

+25% in Cleveland, OH

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 / OH)

5.75%

+0.8 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

2.75%

+0.3 pp in OH

Bismarck vs Cleveland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Cleveland?: Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Bismarck, ND's $960, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Cleveland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $29,000 in Cleveland.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Cleveland?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Cleveland under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).