Living Cost Compare
Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

vs
Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 25% higher in Overland Park, KS. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND
Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio
$723
$1,270
+76% in Overland Park, KS
1 Bedroom
$803
$1,224
+52% in Overland Park, KS
2 Bedroom
$989
$1,589
+61% in Overland Park, KS
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,828
+29% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$291,400
$384,400
+32% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income
$77,608
$103,838
+34% in Overland Park, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$52,560
$50,820
+3% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.2 yr
38.6 yr
+0.4 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
65.8%
61.5%
+4.3 pp in Bismarck, ND
Bachelor's+ (25+)
38.7%
62.9%
+24.2 pp in Overland Park, KS
Avg Commute
15.5 min
19.9 min
+4.4 min in Overland Park, KS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
278
188.4
+32% in Bismarck, ND
Property Crime
2,417.1
1,790.5
+26% 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
55.2°F
+12.2°F in Overland Park, KS
Annual Precipitation
17.9 in
40.0 in
+22.2 in in Overland Park, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.1
15.7
+11% in Overland Park, KS
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$18.21
$25.12
+38% in Overland Park, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / KS)
5%
6.5%
+1.5 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
2.50%
5.58%
+3.1 pp in KS

Bismarck vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Overland Park?
Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Overland Park?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Overland Park?
Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Overland Park under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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).