Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Huntington?

Huntington, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Bismarck, ND's $960, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Huntington?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Huntington Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Huntington

West Virginia

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $940 in Huntington, WV. Overall, Huntington, WV is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bismarck, ND, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $43,146 in Huntington, WV — about 44% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Huntington, WV

Rent

Studio

$723

$762

+5% in Huntington, WV

1 Bedroom

$803

$758

+6% in Bismarck, ND

2 Bedroom

$989

$881

+11% in Bismarck, ND

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,121

+21% in Bismarck, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$118,800

+59% in Bismarck, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$43,146

+44% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$44,600

+15% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

34.9 yr

+3.3 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

52.5%

+13.3 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

34.5%

+4.2 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

15.5 min

18.6 min

+3.1 min in Huntington, WV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

800.3

+188% in Huntington, WV

Property Crime

2,417.1

3,617.9

+50% in Huntington, WV

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

55.7°F

+12.7°F in Huntington, WV

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

42.6 in

+24.7 in in Huntington, WV

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Huntington, WV

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

15.4

+9% in Huntington, WV

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$24.68

+36% in Huntington, WV

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 Huntington, WV

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 / WV)

+1.0 pp in WV

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

4.82%

+2.3 pp in WV

Bismarck vs Huntington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Huntington?: Huntington, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Bismarck, ND's $960, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Huntington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $30,000 in Huntington.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Huntington?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).