City Comparison

Bismarck vs Hollywood

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bismarck

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

Hollywood

Florida
111
Above Average
$424,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$60,300
Median Income

The Verdict

14.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 14.4%, with Bismarck being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to $87,632 in Hollywood.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
90
Bismarck
130
Hollywood
Groceries
99
Bismarck
104
Hollywood
Utilities
82
Bismarck
96
Hollywood
Transportation
102
Bismarck
113
Hollywood
Healthcare
103
Bismarck
96
Hollywood

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has the same purchasing power as $87,632 in Hollywood.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hollywood equals $64,189 in Bismarck.

Living in Bismarck vs Hollywood

Housing Costs

Bismarck's housing index of 90 is lower Hollywood's 130, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $424,000. The $76,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,944 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 Hollywood, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 104 in Hollywood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $494/month in Hollywood. 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 96 in Hollywood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $384 in Hollywood. 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 96 in Hollywood. 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 $60,300 in Hollywood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $54,324 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 $1,407/month in Hollywood. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Hollywood, median rent of $1,725/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bismarck is 14.4% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,632 in Hollywood, based on the cost of living difference.
Bismarck's housing index is 90 with median homes at $348,000, while Hollywood's is 130 with median homes at $424,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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