Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Washington?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 55% below Washington, DC's $2,150, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $75,000 in Washington.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Washington?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Washington Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Washington

District of Columbia

$2,150/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $2,150 in Washington, DC. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 55% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Washington, DC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $106,287 in Washington, DC — about 27% higher in Washington, DC. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; District of Columbia has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Washington, DC

Rent

Studio

$723

$1,763

+144% in Washington, DC

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,885

+135% in Washington, DC

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,949

+97% in Washington, DC

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$2,249

+58% in Washington, DC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$724,600

+149% in Washington, DC

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$106,287

+37% in Washington, DC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$71,060

+35% in Washington, DC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

34.9 yr

+3.3 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

41.1%

+24.7 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

63.6%

+24.9 pp in Washington, DC

Avg Commute

15.5 min

30.3 min

+14.8 min in Washington, DC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

936.3

+237% in Washington, DC

Property Crime

2,417.1

3,627.9

+50% in Washington, DC

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

58.2°F

+15.2°F in Washington, DC

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

39.7 in

+21.9 in in Washington, DC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Washington, DC

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs WMATA (Metrobus) (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

24.4

+73% in Washington, DC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$27.28

+50% in Washington, DC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Bismarck, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Washington, DC

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Bismarck, ND

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / DC)

+1.0 pp in DC

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

10.75%

+8.3 pp in DC

Bismarck vs Washington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Washington?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 55% below Washington, DC's $2,150, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Washington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $75,000 in Washington.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Washington?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% 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).