Bismarck vs Ogden
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bismarck
Ogden
The Verdict
Bismarck is 11.2% less expensive than Ogden overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bismarck would need approximately $84,474 in Ogden 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 $84,474 in Ogden.
Conversely, $75,000 in Ogden equals $66,589 in Bismarck.
Living in Bismarck vs Ogden
Housing Costs
Bismarck's housing index of 90 is lower Ogden's 112, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $385,000. The $37,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,400 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,250/mo in Ogden, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 92 in Ogden. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $437/month in Ogden. Ogden offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 82 in Bismarck and 80 in Ogden. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $320 in Ogden. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Bismarck and 91 in Ogden. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $70,100 in Ogden. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $65,514 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 $1,636/month in Ogden. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Ogden, median rent of $1,250/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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