Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or New Orleans?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below New Orleans, LA's $1,170, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $41,000 in New Orleans.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or New Orleans?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); New Orleans under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs New Orleans Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

New Orleans

Louisiana

$1,170/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,170 in New Orleans, LA. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New Orleans, LA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $55,339 in New Orleans, LA — about 29% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

New Orleans, LA

Rent

Studio

$723

$953

+32% in New Orleans, LA

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,019

+27% in New Orleans, LA

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,287

+30% in New Orleans, LA

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,392

+2% in Bismarck, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$296,400

+2% in New Orleans, LA

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$55,339

+29% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$47,290

+10% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

38.4 yr

+0.2 yr in New Orleans, LA

Homeownership

65.8%

50.5%

+15.3 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

42.0%

+3.3 pp in New Orleans, LA

Avg Commute

15.5 min

22.7 min

+7.2 min in New Orleans, LA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

1,361.1

+390% in New Orleans, LA

Property Crime

2,417.1

5,089.6

+111% in New Orleans, LA

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

70.6°F

+27.6°F in New Orleans, LA

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

62.3 in

+44.4 in in New Orleans, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Bismarck, ND

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

Adult base one-way fare — — vs New Orleans RTA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

13.5

+4% in Bismarck, ND

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$16.62

+9% in Bismarck, ND

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 New Orleans, LA

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 / LA)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

3.00%

+0.5 pp in LA

Bismarck vs New Orleans — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or New Orleans?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below New Orleans, LA's $1,170, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in New Orleans?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $41,000 in New Orleans.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or New Orleans?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); New Orleans under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% 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).