Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Pittsburgh?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Pittsburgh?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Pittsburgh Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,320 in Pittsburgh, PA. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Pittsburgh, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA — about 17% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Pittsburgh, PA

Rent

Studio

$723

$1,109

+53% in Pittsburgh, PA

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,079

+34% in Pittsburgh, PA

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,269

+28% in Pittsburgh, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,450

+2% in Pittsburgh, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$193,200

+34% in Bismarck, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$64,137

+17% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$49,650

+6% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

33.5 yr

+4.7 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

47.2%

+18.6 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

47.8%

+9.1 pp in Pittsburgh, PA

Avg Commute

15.5 min

23.1 min

+7.6 min in Pittsburgh, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

436

+57% in Pittsburgh, PA

Property Crime

2,417.1

2,315.7

+4% 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

51.8°F

+8.8°F in Pittsburgh, PA

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

39.3 in

+21.4 in in Pittsburgh, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

21.7

+54% in Pittsburgh, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$26.08

+43% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Pittsburgh, PA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Pittsburgh, PA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / PA)

+1.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

3.07%

+0.6 pp in PA

Bismarck vs Pittsburgh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Pittsburgh?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Pittsburgh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Pittsburgh?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% 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).