Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Norfolk?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Norfolk.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Norfolk?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Norfolk Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,230 in Norfolk, VA. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norfolk, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $64,017 in Norfolk, VA — about 18% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Norfolk, VA

Rent

Studio

$723

$1,102

+52% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,032

+29% in Norfolk, VA

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,214

+23% in Norfolk, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,602

+13% in Norfolk, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$271,900

+7% in Bismarck, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$64,017

+18% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$49,430

+6% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

32.4 yr

+5.8 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

45.7%

+20.1 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

32.7%

+6.0 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

15.5 min

22.9 min

+7.4 min in Norfolk, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

479.5

+72% in Norfolk, VA

Property Crime

2,417.1

3,800.7

+57% in Norfolk, VA

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

61.3°F

+18.3°F in Norfolk, VA

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

44.8 in

+26.9 in in Norfolk, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Norfolk, VA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

17.2

+22% in Norfolk, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$27.20

+49% in Norfolk, VA

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 Norfolk, VA

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 / VA)

5.3%

+0.3 pp in VA

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

5.75%

+3.3 pp in VA

Bismarck vs Norfolk — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Norfolk?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Norfolk?: 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 Norfolk.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Norfolk?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).