Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Reno?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $48,000 in Reno.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Reno?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Reno, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 1% higher in Reno, NV. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$723

$964

+33% in Reno, NV

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,206

+50% in Reno, NV

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,518

+53% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,885

+33% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$498,600

+71% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$78,448

+1% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$49,660

+6% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

37.3 yr

+0.9 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

49.4%

+16.4 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

35.7%

+3.0 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

15.5 min

20.6 min

+5.1 min in Reno, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

528.9

+90% in Reno, NV

Property Crime

2,417.1

2,489.3

+3% in Reno, NV

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

53.8°F

+10.8°F in Reno, NV

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

7.4 in

+10.5 in in Bismarck, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.21/gal

+35% in Reno, NV

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

13.1

+7% in Bismarck, ND

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$13.83

+24% in Bismarck, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Reno, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Reno, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / NV)

6.85%

+1.8 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

None

+2.5 pp in ND

Bismarck vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Reno?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Reno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $48,000 in Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Reno?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).