Bismarck vs Great Falls

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 $69,474 in Great Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Great Falls equals $80,966 in Bismarck.

Living in Bismarck vs Great Falls

Housing Costs

Bismarck's housing index of 90 is higher Great Falls's 82, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $325,000. The $23,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,500 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,050/mo in Great Falls, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 99 in Great Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $470/month in Great Falls. 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 90 in Great Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $360 in Great Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Bismarck and 92 in Great Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $55,800 in Great Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $63,409 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 $1,302/month in Great Falls. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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