Bismarck vs Tulsa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Bismarck
Tulsa
💡 The Verdict
Tulsa is 3% cheaper than Bismarck overall. A $75,000 salary in Bismarck is equivalent to $72,443 in Tulsa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Bismarck (left) vs Tulsa (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Bismarck versus Tulsa. Differences shown from Bismarck perspective.
| Item | Bismarck | Tulsa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,110/mo | $710/mo | +$400.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,530/mo | $950/mo | +$580.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,070/mo | $1,260/mo | +$810.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.56 | $2.80 | $-0.24 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.56 | $3.47 | +$0.09 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.12 | $3.03 | +$0.09 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.43 | $5.24 | +$0.19 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.17 | $3.35 | $-0.18 |
| Restaurant Meal | $12.99 | $13.48 | $-0.49 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has the same purchasing power as $72,443 in Tulsa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tulsa equals $77,647 in Bismarck.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $1725 difference is driven by Oklahoma having a higher state income tax rate. North Dakota details → · Oklahoma details →
Reading These Numbers: Bismarck (88) vs Tulsa (85)
Bismarck at 88 is 12% below the US average, while Tulsa at 85 is 15% below average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Bismarck, the composite index of 88 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 115, followed by groceries (90), utilities (99), transportation (84), and healthcare (89). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $1,530/mo in Bismarck and $950/mo in Tulsa, the annual rent difference is approximately $6,960.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $34,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $198,000.0 difference in median home prices between Bismarck and Tulsa translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Bismarck vs Tulsa
Choosing between Bismarck and Tulsa involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Bismarck against Tulsa, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.