Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Norman?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Norman, OK's $1,050, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $35,000 in Norman.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Norman?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,050/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,050 in Norman, OK. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norman, OK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 16% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$723

$820

+13% in Norman, OK

1 Bedroom

$803

$863

+7% in Norman, OK

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,056

+7% in Norman, OK

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,377

+3% in Bismarck, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$239,300

+18% in Bismarck, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$65,060

+16% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$47,230

+10% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

31.6 yr

+6.6 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

52.7%

+13.1 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

46.2%

+7.5 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

15.5 min

22.2 min

+6.7 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

268.6

+3% in Bismarck, ND

Property Crime

2,417.1

2,294.1

+5% 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

61.5°F

+18.5°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

36.5 in

+18.7 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.3

+1% in Norman, OK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$31.25

+72% in Norman, OK

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 Norman, OK

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 / OK)

4.5%

+0.5 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

4.50%

+2.0 pp in OK

Bismarck vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Norman?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Norman, OK's $1,050, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Norman?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).