Bismarck vs St. Louis
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bismarck
St. Louis
The Verdict
St. Louis is 5.6% less expensive than Bismarck overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bismarck would need approximately $71,053 in St. Louis 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 $71,053 in St. Louis.
Conversely, $75,000 in St. Louis equals $79,167 in Bismarck.
Living in Bismarck vs St. Louis
Housing Costs
Bismarck's housing index of 90 is higher St. Louis's 72, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $175,000. The $173,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,244 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,000/mo in St. Louis, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 97 in St. Louis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $461/month in St. Louis. 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 95 in St. Louis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $380 in St. Louis. 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 95 in St. Louis. 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 $45,782 in St. Louis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $50,869 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 $1,068/month in St. Louis. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In St. Louis, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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