Abilene vs Bismarck
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Bismarck
The Verdict
Living in Abilene costs 15.8% less than Bismarck. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $89,063 in Bismarck.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $89,063 in Bismarck.
Conversely, $75,000 in Bismarck equals $63,158 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Bismarck
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Bismarck's 90, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $348,000. The $169,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,980 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,100/mo in Bismarck, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 99 in Bismarck. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $470/month in Bismarck. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 82 in Bismarck. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $328 in Bismarck. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 103 in Bismarck. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $77,600 in Bismarck. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $81,684 respectively. Bismarck residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,811/month in Bismarck. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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