Arlington vs Bismarck
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Bismarck
The Verdict
Bismarck is 72.6% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $43,445 in Bismarck to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $43,445 in Bismarck.
Conversely, $75,000 in Bismarck equals $129,474 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Bismarck
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Bismarck's 90, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $348,000. The $392,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,476 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,100/mo in Bismarck, a monthly difference of $1,250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 99 in Bismarck. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $470/month in Bismarck. Bismarck offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 82 in Bismarck. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington 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 117 in Arlington and 103 in Bismarck. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $77,600 in Bismarck. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $81,684 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,811/month in Bismarck. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 159 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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