City Comparison

Bismarck vs Brooklyn

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota
95
Below Average
$348,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$77,600
Median Income

Brooklyn

New York
195
Very Expensive
$780,000
Median Home
$2,900/mo
Median Rent
$65,294
Median Income

The Verdict

51.3%

Living in Bismarck costs 51.3% less than Brooklyn. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $153,947 in Brooklyn.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
90
Bismarck
325
Brooklyn
Groceries
99
Bismarck
108
Brooklyn
Utilities
82
Bismarck
135
Brooklyn
Transportation
102
Bismarck
108
Brooklyn
Healthcare
103
Bismarck
108
Brooklyn

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has the same purchasing power as $153,947 in Brooklyn.

Conversely, $75,000 in Brooklyn equals $36,538 in Bismarck.

Living in Bismarck vs Brooklyn

Housing Costs

Bismarck's housing index of 90 is lower Brooklyn's 325, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $780,000. The $432,000 difference in home prices means roughly $28,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $2,900/mo in Brooklyn, a monthly difference of $1,800.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 108 in Brooklyn. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $513/month in Brooklyn. Bismarck offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 82 in Bismarck and 135 in Brooklyn. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $540 in Brooklyn. 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 103 in Bismarck and 108 in Brooklyn. 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 $77,600 in Bismarck and $65,294 in Brooklyn. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $33,484 respectively. Bismarck residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,811/month to housing in Bismarck vs $1,524/month in Brooklyn. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Brooklyn, median rent of $2,900/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 235 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bismarck is 51.3% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 195.
A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $153,947 in Brooklyn, based on the cost of living difference.
Bismarck's housing index is 90 with median homes at $348,000, while Brooklyn's is 325 with median homes at $780,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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