City Comparison

Bismarck vs Yuma

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota
95
Below Average
$348,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$77,600
Median Income

Yuma

Arizona
92
Below Average
$284,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$54,100
Median Income

The Verdict

3.3%

Living in Yuma costs 3.3% less than Bismarck. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $72,632 in Yuma.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
90
Bismarck
82
Yuma
Groceries
99
Bismarck
101
Yuma
Utilities
82
Bismarck
102
Yuma
Transportation
102
Bismarck
97
Yuma
Healthcare
103
Bismarck
87
Yuma

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has the same purchasing power as $72,632 in Yuma.

Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $77,446 in Bismarck.

Living in Bismarck vs Yuma

Housing Costs

Bismarck's housing index of 90 is higher Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $348,000 vs $284,000. The $64,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,164 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Bismarck compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Bismarck and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Bismarck vs $480/month in Yuma. 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 102 in Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Bismarck vs $408 in Yuma. 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 87 in Yuma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $77,600 in Bismarck and $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,684 and $58,804 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 $1,262/month in Yuma. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yuma is 3.3% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Bismarck has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,632 in Yuma, based on the cost of living difference.
Bismarck's housing index is 90 with median homes at $348,000, while Yuma's is 82 with median homes at $284,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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