City Comparison

Bismarck vs Greeley

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bismarck

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

Greeley

Colorado
113
Above Average
$420,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$72,500
Median Income

The Verdict

15.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.9%, with Bismarck being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to $89,211 in Greeley.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
90
Bismarck
136
Greeley
Groceries
99
Bismarck
95
Greeley
Utilities
82
Bismarck
89
Greeley
Transportation
102
Bismarck
110
Greeley
Healthcare
103
Bismarck
97
Greeley

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Bismarck vs Greeley

Housing Costs

Bismarck's housing index of 90 is lower Greeley's 136, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $420,000. The $72,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,680 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,275/mo in Greeley, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 95 in Greeley. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $451/month in Greeley. 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 89 in Greeley. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $356 in Greeley. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Bismarck and 97 in Greeley. 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 $72,500 in Greeley. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $64,159 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 $1,692/month in Greeley. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Greeley, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 46 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 Greeley, based on the cost of living difference.
Bismarck's housing index is 90 with median homes at $348,000, while Greeley's is 136 with median homes at $420,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases