City Comparison

Bismarck vs Glendale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bismarck

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

Glendale

Arizona
113
Above Average
$405,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

The Verdict

15.9%

Living in Bismarck costs 15.9% less than Glendale. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $89,211 in Glendale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
90
Bismarck
119
Glendale
Groceries
99
Bismarck
103
Glendale
Utilities
82
Bismarck
98
Glendale
Transportation
102
Bismarck
103
Glendale
Healthcare
103
Bismarck
94
Glendale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has the same purchasing power as $89,211 in Glendale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Glendale equals $63,053 in Bismarck.

Living in Bismarck vs Glendale

Housing Costs

Bismarck's housing index of 90 is lower Glendale's 119, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $405,000. The $57,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,708 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,400/mo in Glendale, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 103 in Glendale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $489/month in Glendale. 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 98 in Glendale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $392 in Glendale. 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 94 in Glendale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $70,100 in Glendale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $62,035 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 $1,636/month in Glendale. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Glendale, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bismarck is 15.9% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $89,211 in Glendale, based on the cost of living difference.
Bismarck's housing index is 90 with median homes at $348,000, while Glendale's is 119 with median homes at $405,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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