Bismarck vs Odessa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bismarck
Odessa
The Verdict
Living in Odessa costs 11.8% less than Bismarck. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $67,105 in Odessa.
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 $67,105 in Odessa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Odessa equals $83,824 in Bismarck.
Living in Bismarck vs Odessa
Housing Costs
Bismarck's housing index of 90 is higher Odessa's 72, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $223,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,150/mo in Odessa, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 96 in Odessa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $456/month in Odessa. 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 100 in Odessa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $400 in Odessa. 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 Odessa. 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 $73,500 in Odessa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $86,471 respectively. Odessa 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 $1,715/month in Odessa. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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