Living Cost Compare
Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

vs
Des Moines

Iowa

$1,050/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,050 in Des Moines, IA. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Des Moines, IA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $63,966 in Des Moines, IA — about 18% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND
Des Moines, IA

Rent

Studio
$723
$870
+20% in Des Moines, IA
1 Bedroom
$803
$870
+8% in Des Moines, IA
2 Bedroom
$989
$1,099
+11% in Des Moines, IA
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,334
+6% in Bismarck, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$291,400
$183,700
+37% in Bismarck, ND

Income

Median Household Income
$77,608
$63,966
+18% in Bismarck, ND
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$52,560
$51,820
+1% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.2 yr
34.6 yr
+3.6 yr in Bismarck, ND
Homeownership
65.8%
60.4%
+5.4 pp in Bismarck, ND
Bachelor's+ (25+)
38.7%
29.0%
+9.7 pp in Bismarck, ND
Avg Commute
15.5 min
19.6 min
+4.1 min in Des Moines, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
278
707.3
+154% in Des Moines, IA
Property Crime
2,417.1
3,156.6
+31% in Des Moines, IA

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
50.9°F
+7.9°F in Des Moines, IA
Annual Precipitation
17.9 in
36.0 in
+18.2 in in Des Moines, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.1
15.9
+13% in Des Moines, IA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$18.21
$22.16
+22% in Des Moines, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / IA)
5%
6%
+1.0 pp in IA
Income Tax (top rate)
2.50%
3.80%
+1.3 pp in IA

Bismarck vs Des Moines — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Des Moines?
Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Des Moines, IA's $1,050, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Des Moines?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $35,000 in Des Moines.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Des Moines?
Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Des Moines under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% 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).