City Comparison

Bismarck vs Green Bay

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bismarck

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

Green Bay

Wisconsin
86
Below Average
$235,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$55,200
Median Income

The Verdict

10.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 10.5%, with Green Bay being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to $67,895 in Green Bay.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
90
Bismarck
72
Green Bay
Groceries
99
Bismarck
98
Green Bay
Utilities
82
Bismarck
84
Green Bay
Transportation
102
Bismarck
102
Green Bay
Healthcare
103
Bismarck
96
Green Bay

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has the same purchasing power as $67,895 in Green Bay.

Conversely, $75,000 in Green Bay equals $82,849 in Bismarck.

Living in Bismarck vs Green Bay

Housing Costs

Bismarck's housing index of 90 is higher Green Bay's 72, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $235,000. The $113,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,344 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $950/mo in Green Bay, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 98 in Green Bay. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $466/month in Green Bay. 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 84 in Green Bay. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $336 in Green Bay. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Bismarck and 96 in Green Bay. 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 $55,200 in Green Bay. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $64,186 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 $1,288/month in Green Bay. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Green Bay is 10.5% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,895 in Green Bay, based on the cost of living difference.
Bismarck's housing index is 90 with median homes at $348,000, while Green Bay's is 72 with median homes at $235,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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