Living Cost Compare
Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

vs
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,200 in Grand Rapids, MI. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Grand Rapids, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI — about 16% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND
Grand Rapids, MI

Rent

Studio
$723
$992
+37% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$803
$964
+20% in Grand Rapids, MI
2 Bedroom
$989
$1,206
+22% in Grand Rapids, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,421
about equal

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$291,400
$225,500
+23% in Bismarck, ND

Income

Median Household Income
$77,608
$65,526
+16% in Bismarck, ND
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$52,560
$47,570
+9% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.2 yr
32.1 yr
+6.1 yr in Bismarck, ND
Homeownership
65.8%
54.6%
+11.2 pp in Bismarck, ND
Bachelor's+ (25+)
38.7%
40.1%
+1.4 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Avg Commute
15.5 min
19.4 min
+3.9 min in Grand Rapids, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
278
910.1
+227% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
2,417.1
2,506.2
+4% in Grand Rapids, MI

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
49.1°F
+6.1°F in Grand Rapids, MI
Annual Precipitation
17.9 in
38.3 in
+20.4 in in Grand Rapids, MI

Gas

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

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.1
23.0
+63% in Grand Rapids, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$18.21
$19.72
+8% in Grand Rapids, MI

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 / MI)
5%
6%
+1.0 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
2.50%
4.25%
+1.8 pp in MI

Bismarck vs Grand Rapids — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Grand Rapids?
Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Grand Rapids, MI's $1,200, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Grand Rapids?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $39,000 in Grand Rapids.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Grand Rapids?
Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Grand Rapids under Michigan's (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).