Bismarck vs Franklin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bismarck
Franklin
The Verdict
Bismarck is 31.7% less expensive than Franklin overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bismarck would need approximately $109,737 in Franklin 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 Bismarck has the same purchasing power as $109,737 in Franklin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Franklin equals $51,259 in Bismarck.
Living in Bismarck vs Franklin
Housing Costs
Bismarck's housing index of 90 is lower Franklin's 230, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $750,000. The $402,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,136 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,850/mo in Franklin, a monthly difference of $750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 100 in Franklin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $475/month in Franklin. 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 97 in Franklin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $388 in Franklin. 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 91 in Franklin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $118,200 in Franklin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $85,036 respectively. Franklin 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 $2,758/month in Franklin. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 140 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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