Bismarck vs Hillsboro
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bismarck
Hillsboro
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 25.8%, with Bismarck being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to $101,053 in Hillsboro.
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 $101,053 in Hillsboro.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hillsboro equals $55,664 in Bismarck.
Living in Bismarck vs Hillsboro
Housing Costs
Bismarck's housing index of 90 is lower Hillsboro's 175, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $533,000. The $185,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,024 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,725/mo in Hillsboro, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 108 in Hillsboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $513/month in Hillsboro. Bismarck offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 82 in Bismarck and 96 in Hillsboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $384 in Hillsboro. 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 103 in Hillsboro. 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 $106,700 in Hillsboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $83,359 respectively. Hillsboro residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,811/month to housing in Bismarck vs $2,490/month in Hillsboro. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 85 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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