Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Dallas?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Dallas, TX's $1,480, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $51,000 in Dallas.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Dallas?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Dallas under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Dallas Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Dallas

Texas

$1,480/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,480 in Dallas, TX. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Dallas, TX, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $67,760 in Dallas, TX — about 13% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Dallas, TX

Rent

Studio

$723

$1,259

+74% in Dallas, TX

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,280

+59% in Dallas, TX

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,500

+52% in Dallas, TX

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,559

+10% in Dallas, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$295,300

+1% in Dallas, TX

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$67,760

+13% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$51,440

+2% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

33.4 yr

+4.8 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

42.4%

+23.4 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

37.4%

+1.3 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

15.5 min

26.0 min

+10.5 min in Dallas, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

661.9

+138% in Dallas, TX

Property Crime

2,417.1

3,412.9

+41% in Dallas, TX

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

67.2°F

+24.2°F in Dallas, TX

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

37.6 in

+19.7 in in Dallas, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.58/gal

+7% in Bismarck, ND

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.50

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

15.9

+13% in Dallas, TX

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$31.89

+75% in Dallas, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Bismarck, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Dallas, TX

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Bismarck, ND

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / TX)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

None

+2.5 pp in ND

Bismarck vs Dallas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Dallas?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Dallas, TX's $1,480, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Dallas?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $51,000 in Dallas.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Dallas?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Dallas under Texas's (no state income tax 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).