Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Concord?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Concord, NH's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $45,000 in Concord.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Concord?

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

Bismarck vs Concord Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Concord

New Hampshire

$1,410/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,410 in Concord, NH. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Concord, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $83,701 in Concord, NH — about 7% higher in Concord, NH. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Concord, NH

Rent

Studio

$723

$876

+21% in Concord, NH

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,134

+41% in Concord, NH

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,475

+49% in Concord, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,769

+24% in Concord, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$323,700

+11% in Concord, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$83,701

+8% in Concord, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

40.7 yr

+2.5 yr in Concord, NH

Homeownership

65.8%

57.4%

+8.4 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

40.1%

+1.4 pp in Concord, NH

Avg Commute

15.5 min

23.2 min

+7.7 min in Concord, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

180.7

+35% in Bismarck, ND

Property Crime

2,417.1

1,251.5

+48% 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

46.4°F

+3.4°F in Concord, NH

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

40.6 in

+22.8 in in Concord, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Concord, NH

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

27.0

+91% in Concord, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$21.67

+19% in Concord, NH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Concord, NH

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Concord, NH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Concord, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Concord, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / NH)

None

+5.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

None

+2.5 pp in ND

Bismarck vs Concord — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Concord?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Concord, NH's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Concord?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $45,000 in Concord.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Concord?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Concord under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no 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).