Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Meridian?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Meridian?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 43% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 21% higher in Meridian, ID. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$723

$1,523

+111% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,540

+92% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,489

+51% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,893

+33% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$485,000

+66% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$98,686

+27% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$49,100

+7% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

37.4 yr

+0.8 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

76.1%

+10.3 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

44.4%

+5.7 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

15.5 min

22.3 min

+6.8 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

150.3

+46% in Bismarck, ND

Property Crime

2,417.1

583.5

+76% 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

52.5°F

+9.5°F in Meridian, ID

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

11.7 in

+6.1 in in Bismarck, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Meridian, ID

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.4

+2% in Meridian, ID

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$11.33

+38% in Bismarck, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / ID)

+1.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

5.30%

+2.8 pp in ID

Bismarck vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Meridian?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Meridian?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).