Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Santa Fe?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Santa Fe, NM's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Santa Fe?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Santa Fe under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Santa Fe Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Santa Fe

New Mexico

$1,310/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,310 in Santa Fe, NM. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Santa Fe, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $70,110 in Santa Fe, NM — about 10% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Santa Fe, NM

Rent

Studio

$723

$969

+34% in Santa Fe, NM

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,167

+45% in Santa Fe, NM

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,559

+58% in Santa Fe, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,733

+22% in Santa Fe, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$411,500

+41% in Santa Fe, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$70,110

+10% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$48,710

+7% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

46.4 yr

+8.2 yr in Santa Fe, NM

Homeownership

65.8%

62.8%

+3.0 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

45.4%

+6.7 pp in Santa Fe, NM

Avg Commute

15.5 min

20.2 min

+4.7 min in Santa Fe, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

843.3

+203% in Santa Fe, NM

Property Crime

2,417.1

5,189

+115% in Santa Fe, NM

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

51.9°F

+8.9°F in Santa Fe, NM

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

13.5 in

+4.4 in in Bismarck, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Bismarck, ND

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

15.1

+7% in Santa Fe, NM

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$9.31

+49% in Bismarck, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Santa Fe, NM

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Santa Fe, NM

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Santa Fe, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Santa Fe, NM

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / NM)

4.875%

+0.1 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

5.90%

+3.4 pp in NM

Bismarck vs Santa Fe — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Santa Fe?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Santa Fe, NM's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Santa Fe?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Santa Fe?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Santa Fe under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% 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).