City Comparison

Bismarck vs Orlando

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bismarck

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

Orlando

Florida
100
Average
$320,000
Median Home
$1,650/mo
Median Rent
$48,080
Median Income

The Verdict

5.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.0%, with Bismarck being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to $78,947 in Orlando.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
90
Bismarck
104
Orlando
Groceries
99
Bismarck
103
Orlando
Utilities
82
Bismarck
97
Orlando
Transportation
102
Bismarck
104
Orlando
Healthcare
103
Bismarck
96
Orlando

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has the same purchasing power as $78,947 in Orlando.

Conversely, $75,000 in Orlando equals $71,250 in Bismarck.

Living in Bismarck vs Orlando

Housing Costs

Bismarck's housing index of 90 is lower Orlando's 104, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $320,000. The $28,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,650/mo in Orlando, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 103 in Orlando. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $489/month in Orlando. 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 97 in Orlando. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $388 in Orlando. 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 Orlando. 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 $48,080 in Orlando. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $48,080 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 $1,122/month in Orlando. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Orlando, median rent of $1,650/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bismarck is 5.0% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,947 in Orlando, based on the cost of living difference.
Bismarck's housing index is 90 with median homes at $348,000, while Orlando's is 104 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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