Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Memphis?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Memphis, TN's $1,110, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Memphis?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Memphis, TN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 34% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$723

$877

+21% in Memphis, TN

1 Bedroom

$803

$948

+18% in Memphis, TN

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,073

+8% in Memphis, TN

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,281

+10% in Bismarck, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$157,100

+46% in Bismarck, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$51,211

+34% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$46,890

+11% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

34.3 yr

+3.9 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

46.0%

+19.8 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

28.2%

+10.5 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

15.5 min

21.3 min

+5.8 min in Memphis, TN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

2,507.6

+802% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

2,417.1

6,966.3

+188% in Memphis, TN

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

63.1°F

+20.1°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

53.7 in

+35.8 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs MATA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

+0% in Bismarck, ND

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$19.75

+8% in Memphis, TN

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 Memphis, TN

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 / TN)

+2.0 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

None

+2.5 pp in ND

Bismarck vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Memphis?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Memphis, TN's $1,110, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Memphis?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% 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).