City Comparison

Bismarck vs Overland Park

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bismarck

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

Overland Park

Kansas
106
Above Average
$414,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$104,800
Median Income

The Verdict

10.4%

Living in Bismarck costs 10.4% less than Overland Park. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $83,684 in Overland Park.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
90
Bismarck
109
Overland Park
Groceries
99
Bismarck
96
Overland Park
Utilities
82
Bismarck
98
Overland Park
Transportation
102
Bismarck
95
Overland Park
Healthcare
103
Bismarck
102
Overland Park

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has the same purchasing power as $83,684 in Overland Park.

Conversely, $75,000 in Overland Park equals $67,217 in Bismarck.

Living in Bismarck vs Overland Park

Housing Costs

Bismarck's housing index of 90 is lower Overland Park's 109, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $414,000. The $66,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,450/mo in Overland Park, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 96 in Overland Park. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $456/month in Overland Park. 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 98 in Overland Park. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $392 in Overland Park. 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 102 in Overland Park. 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 $104,800 in Overland Park. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $98,868 respectively. Overland Park 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 $2,445/month in Overland Park. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Overland Park, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bismarck is 10.4% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,684 in Overland Park, based on the cost of living difference.
Bismarck's housing index is 90 with median homes at $348,000, while Overland Park's is 109 with median homes at $414,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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