Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Salem?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Salem, OR's $1,170, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $40,000 in Salem.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Salem?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Salem under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Salem Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Salem

Oregon

$1,170/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,170 in Salem, OR. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Salem, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $71,900 in Salem, OR — about 7% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Salem, OR

Rent

Studio

$723

$1,075

+49% in Salem, OR

1 Bedroom

$803

$989

+23% in Salem, OR

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,337

+35% in Salem, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,778

+25% in Salem, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$382,400

+31% in Salem, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$71,900

+7% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$55,310

+5% in Salem, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

35.7 yr

+2.5 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

55.7%

+10.1 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

31.4%

+7.3 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

15.5 min

22.4 min

+6.9 min in Salem, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

540.6

+94% in Salem, OR

Property Crime

2,417.1

2,878.6

+19% in Salem, OR

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

53.0°F

+10.0°F in Salem, OR

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

39.7 in

+21.8 in in Salem, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.21/gal

+35% in Salem, OR

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

16.3

+16% in Salem, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$21.60

+19% in Salem, OR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Salem, OR

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Salem, OR

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Salem, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Salem, OR

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / OR)

None

+5.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

9.90%

+7.4 pp in OR

Bismarck vs Salem — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Salem?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Salem, OR's $1,170, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Salem?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $40,000 in Salem.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Salem?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Salem under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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).