Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Cranston?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $41,000 in Cranston.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Cranston?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Cranston under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Cranston Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,330 in Cranston, RI. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cranston, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $87,716 in Cranston, RI — about 12% higher in Cranston, RI. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Cranston, RI

Rent

Studio

$723

—

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,032

+29% in Cranston, RI

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,438

+45% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,688

+19% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$348,800

+20% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$87,716

+13% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$53,680

+2% in Cranston, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

40.1 yr

+1.9 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

65.8%

67.3%

+1.5 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

35.8%

+2.9 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

15.5 min

23.8 min

+8.3 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

93.1

+67% in Bismarck, ND

Property Crime

2,417.1

1,065.4

+56% 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

51.6°F

+8.6°F in Cranston, RI

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

47.2 in

+29.3 in in Cranston, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Cranston, RI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

29.2

+107% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$25.75

+41% in Cranston, RI

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 Cranston, RI

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Cranston, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Cranston, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Cranston, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / RI)

+2.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

5.99%

+3.5 pp in RI

Bismarck vs Cranston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Cranston?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Cranston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $41,000 in Cranston.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Cranston?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Cranston under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).