City Comparison

Bismarck vs Concord

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bismarck

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

Concord

New Hampshire
100
Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$84,900
Median Income

The Verdict

5.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.0%, with Bismarck being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to $78,947 in Concord.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
90
Bismarck
110
Concord
Groceries
99
Bismarck
101
Concord
Utilities
82
Bismarck
110
Concord
Transportation
102
Bismarck
93
Concord
Healthcare
103
Bismarck
113
Concord

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has the same purchasing power as $78,947 in Concord.

Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $71,250 in Bismarck.

Living in Bismarck vs Concord

Housing Costs

Bismarck's housing index of 90 is lower Concord's 110, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $340,000. The $8,000 difference in home prices means roughly $516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,375/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 101 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $480/month in Concord. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 82 in Bismarck and 110 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $440 in Concord. 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 113 in Concord. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $77,600 in Bismarck and $84,900 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $84,900 respectively. Concord residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,811/month to housing in Bismarck vs $1,981/month in Concord. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Concord, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bismarck is 5.0% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,947 in Concord, based on the cost of living difference.
Bismarck's housing index is 90 with median homes at $348,000, while Concord's is 110 with median homes at $340,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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