Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Spokane?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Spokane?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Spokane, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 15% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$723

$884

+22% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$803

$903

+12% in Spokane, WA

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,192

+21% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,442

+1% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$326,200

+12% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$65,745

+15% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$54,660

+4% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

37.2 yr

+1.0 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

58.3%

+7.5 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

32.6%

+6.1 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

15.5 min

21.2 min

+5.7 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

683.6

+146% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

2,417.1

4,931.8

+104% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+5.9°F in Spokane, WA

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

17.8 in

+0.1 in in Bismarck, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.26/gal

+37% in Spokane, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.9

+6% in Spokane, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$21.34

+17% in Spokane, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / WA)

6.5%

+1.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

None

+2.5 pp in ND

Bismarck vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Spokane?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Spokane?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax 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).