Bismarck vs St George
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bismarck
St George
The Verdict
Bismarck is 13.6% less expensive than St George overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bismarck would need approximately $86,842 in St George 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 $86,842 in St George.
Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $64,773 in Bismarck.
Living in Bismarck vs St George
Housing Costs
Bismarck's housing index of 90 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $550,000. The $202,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,128 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $475/month in St George. 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 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $348 in St George. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Bismarck and 96 in St George. 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 $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $65,818 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 $1,689/month in St George. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In St George, median rent of $1,525/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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