Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Fairbanks?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Fairbanks, AK's $1,350, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $43,000 in Fairbanks.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Fairbanks?

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

Bismarck vs Fairbanks Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Fairbanks

Alaska

$1,350/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,350 in Fairbanks, AK. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Fairbanks, AK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $72,077 in Fairbanks, AK — about 7% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Fairbanks, AK

Rent

Studio

$723

$883

+22% in Fairbanks, AK

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,076

+34% in Fairbanks, AK

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,428

+44% in Fairbanks, AK

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$2,019

+42% in Fairbanks, AK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$255,700

+12% in Bismarck, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$72,077

+7% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$61,810

+18% in Fairbanks, AK

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

28.6 yr

+9.6 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

40.5%

+25.3 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

26.5%

+12.2 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

15.5 min

14.1 min

+1.4 min in Bismarck, ND

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

726.1

+161% in Fairbanks, AK

Property Crime

2,417.1

3,504.2

+45% in Fairbanks, AK

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

27.7°F

+15.3°F in Bismarck, ND

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

10.8 in

+7.0 in in Bismarck, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.21/gal

+35% in Fairbanks, AK

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

28.2

+100% in Fairbanks, AK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$17.35

+5% in Bismarck, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Fairbanks, AK

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Fairbanks, AK

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Fairbanks, AK

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Fairbanks, AK

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / AK)

None

+5.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

None

+2.5 pp in ND

Bismarck vs Fairbanks — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Fairbanks?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Fairbanks, AK's $1,350, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Fairbanks?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $43,000 in Fairbanks.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Fairbanks?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Fairbanks under Alaska'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).