Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Worcester?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $41,000 in Worcester.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Worcester?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Worcester Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Worcester

Massachusetts

$1,340/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,340 in Worcester, MA. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Worcester, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $67,544 in Worcester, MA — about 13% higher in Bismarck, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Worcester, MA

Rent

Studio

$723

$1,087

+50% in Worcester, MA

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,028

+28% in Worcester, MA

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,476

+49% in Worcester, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,675

+18% in Worcester, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$339,500

+17% in Worcester, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$67,544

+13% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$57,830

+10% in Worcester, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

34.1 yr

+4.1 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

42.4%

+23.4 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

34.1%

+4.6 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

15.5 min

25.1 min

+9.6 min in Worcester, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

640.2

+130% in Worcester, MA

Property Crime

2,417.1

1,580.3

+35% in Bismarck, ND

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

47.9°F

+4.9°F in Worcester, MA

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

48.1 in

+30.2 in in Worcester, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.07/gal

+6% in Worcester, MA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

29.6

+110% in Worcester, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$30.66

+68% in Worcester, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Worcester, MA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Worcester, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Worcester, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Worcester, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / MA)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

9.00%

+6.5 pp in MA

Bismarck vs Worcester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Worcester?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Worcester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $41,000 in Worcester.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Worcester?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).