Bismarck vs Lakewood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bismarck
Lakewood
The Verdict
Bismarck is 28.6% less expensive than Lakewood overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bismarck would need approximately $105,000 in Lakewood to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $105,000 in Lakewood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $53,571 in Bismarck.
Living in Bismarck vs Lakewood
Housing Costs
Bismarck's housing index of 90 is lower Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $574,000. The $226,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,688 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $480/month in Lakewood. 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 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $340 in Lakewood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Bismarck and 84 in Lakewood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $77,600 in Bismarck and $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $63,008 respectively. Bismarck residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,811/month to housing in Bismarck vs $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 98 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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