Bismarck vs Mesa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Bismarck
Mesa
💡 The Verdict
Bismarck is 11% cheaper than Mesa overall. A $75,000 salary in Bismarck is equivalent to $84,375 in Mesa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Bismarck (left) vs Mesa (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Bismarck versus Mesa. Differences shown from Bismarck perspective.
| Item | Bismarck | Mesa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,110/mo | $960/mo | +$150.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,530/mo | $1,350/mo | +$180.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,070/mo | $1,740/mo | +$330.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.56 | $2.62 | $-0.06 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.56 | $4.11 | $-0.55 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.12 | $2.89 | +$0.23 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.43 | $5.46 | $-0.03 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.17 | $3.47 | $-0.30 |
| Restaurant Meal | $12.99 | $15.49 | $-2.50 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has the same purchasing power as $84,375 in Mesa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Mesa equals $66,667 in Bismarck.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $450 difference is driven by Arizona having a higher state income tax rate. North Dakota details → · Arizona details →
Reading These Numbers: Bismarck (88) vs Mesa (99)
Bismarck at 88 is 12% below the US average, while Mesa at 99 is 1% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Bismarck, the composite index of 88 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 115, followed by groceries (90), utilities (99), transportation (84), and healthcare (89). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $1,530/mo in Bismarck and $1,350/mo in Mesa, the annual rent difference is approximately $2,160.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $10,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $23,000.0 difference in median home prices between Bismarck and Mesa translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Bismarck vs Mesa
Choosing between Bismarck and Mesa involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Bismarck versus Mesa depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.