Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Newark?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Newark, DE's $1,620, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $56,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Newark?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Newark under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Newark

Delaware

$1,620/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,620 in Newark, DE. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 41% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, DE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $71,373 in Newark, DE — about 8% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Newark, DE

Rent

Studio

$723

$1,649

+128% in Newark, DE

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,391

+73% in Newark, DE

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,513

+53% in Newark, DE

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,916

+35% in Newark, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$357,600

+23% in Newark, DE

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$71,373

+8% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$54,310

+3% in Newark, DE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

22.0 yr

+16.2 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

50.3%

+15.5 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

57.5%

+18.8 pp in Newark, DE

Avg Commute

15.5 min

19.6 min

+4.1 min in Newark, DE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

326.3

+17% in Newark, DE

Property Crime

2,417.1

2,024.6

+16% 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

54.9°F

+11.9°F in Newark, DE

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

43.1 in

+25.2 in in Newark, DE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Newark, DE

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

19.3

+37% in Newark, DE

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$29.73

+63% in Newark, DE

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 Newark, DE

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 / DE)

None

+5.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

6.60%

+4.1 pp in DE

Bismarck vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Newark?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Newark, DE's $1,620, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $56,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Newark?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Newark under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).