City Comparison

Bismarck vs High Point

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bismarck

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

High Point

North Carolina
84
Very Affordable
$249,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$49,200
Median Income

The Verdict

13.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.1%, with High Point being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to $66,316 in High Point.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
90
Bismarck
61
High Point
Groceries
99
Bismarck
96
High Point
Utilities
82
Bismarck
98
High Point
Transportation
102
Bismarck
92
High Point
Healthcare
103
Bismarck
101
High Point

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has the same purchasing power as $66,316 in High Point.

Conversely, $75,000 in High Point equals $84,821 in Bismarck.

Living in Bismarck vs High Point

Housing Costs

Bismarck's housing index of 90 is higher High Point's 61, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $249,000. The $99,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,432 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,075/mo in High Point, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 96 in High Point. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $456/month in High Point. 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 High Point. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $392 in High Point. 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 101 in High Point. 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 $49,200 in High Point. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $58,571 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 $1,148/month in High Point. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/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

High Point is 13.1% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,316 in High Point, based on the cost of living difference.
Bismarck's housing index is 90 with median homes at $348,000, while High Point's is 61 with median homes at $249,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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