Bismarck vs Raleigh
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bismarck
Raleigh
The Verdict
Bismarck is 6.9% less expensive than Raleigh overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bismarck would need approximately $80,526 in Raleigh 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 $80,526 in Raleigh.
Conversely, $75,000 in Raleigh equals $69,853 in Bismarck.
Living in Bismarck vs Raleigh
Housing Costs
Bismarck's housing index of 90 is lower Raleigh's 107, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $370,000. The $22,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,428 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,500/mo in Raleigh, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 100 in Raleigh. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $475/month in Raleigh. 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 94 in Raleigh. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $376 in Raleigh. 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 108 in Raleigh. 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 $67,266 in Raleigh. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $65,947 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 $1,570/month in Raleigh. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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