Bismarck vs St. Paul
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bismarck
St. Paul
The Verdict
Bismarck is 5.0% less expensive than St. Paul overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bismarck would need approximately $78,947 in St. Paul 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 $78,947 in St. Paul.
Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $71,250 in Bismarck.
Living in Bismarck vs St. Paul
Housing Costs
Bismarck's housing index of 90 is lower St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $260,000. The $88,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,724 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $489/month in St. Paul. 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 St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $388 in St. Paul. 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 105 in St. Paul. 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 $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $57,718 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 $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo remains manageable. 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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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