City Comparison

Bismarck vs Evansville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bismarck

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

Evansville

Indiana
80
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$850/mo
Median Rent
$48,600
Median Income

The Verdict

18.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.8%, with Evansville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to $63,158 in Evansville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
90
Bismarck
55
Evansville
Groceries
99
Bismarck
95
Evansville
Utilities
82
Bismarck
105
Evansville
Transportation
102
Bismarck
98
Evansville
Healthcare
103
Bismarck
105
Evansville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has the same purchasing power as $63,158 in Evansville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Evansville equals $89,063 in Bismarck.

Living in Bismarck vs Evansville

Housing Costs

Bismarck's housing index of 90 is higher Evansville's 55, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $170,000. The $178,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,568 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $850/mo in Evansville, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 95 in Evansville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $451/month in Evansville. 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 105 in Evansville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $420 in Evansville. 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 105 in Evansville. 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 $48,600 in Evansville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $60,750 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 $1,134/month in Evansville. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Evansville, median rent of $850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Evansville is 18.8% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,158 in Evansville, based on the cost of living difference.
Bismarck's housing index is 90 with median homes at $348,000, while Evansville's is 55 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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