Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Huntsville?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Huntsville, AL's $1,090, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $36,000 in Huntsville.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Huntsville?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Huntsville under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Huntsville Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Huntsville

Alabama

$1,090/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,090 in Huntsville, AL. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Huntsville, AL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $70,778 in Huntsville, AL — about 9% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Huntsville, AL

Rent

Studio

$723

$815

+13% in Huntsville, AL

1 Bedroom

$803

$900

+12% in Huntsville, AL

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,080

+9% in Huntsville, AL

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,251

+12% in Bismarck, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$263,100

+10% in Bismarck, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$70,778

+9% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$51,740

+2% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

36.4 yr

+1.8 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

58.1%

+7.7 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

46.2%

+7.5 pp in Huntsville, AL

Avg Commute

15.5 min

19.3 min

+3.8 min in Huntsville, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

483.2

+74% in Huntsville, AL

Property Crime

2,417.1

2,395.7

+1% in Bismarck, ND

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

62.1°F

+19.1°F in Huntsville, AL

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

54.3 in

+36.5 in in Huntsville, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Bismarck, ND

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

16.4

+16% in Huntsville, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$24.06

+32% in Huntsville, AL

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 Huntsville, AL

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 / AL)

+1.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

5.00%

+2.5 pp in AL

Bismarck vs Huntsville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Huntsville?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Huntsville, AL's $1,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Huntsville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $36,000 in Huntsville.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Huntsville?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Huntsville under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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).