Bismarck wins overall by ~2% (COL index)
Cost of living: Bismarck vs Fargo (2026)
A $61,000 salary in Bismarck buys roughly what $62,402 does in Fargo (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$1,373/yr
Favoring Bismarck for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $114/mo in Bismarck, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Bismarck North Dakota | Fargo North Dakota | Who wins | Your impact at $61K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $900Better | $1,000 | Bismarck wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Bismarck |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,150Better | $1,250 | Bismarck wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Bismarck |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,500Better | $1,650 | Bismarck wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Bismarck |
| Median home price | $260KBetter | $270K | Bismarck wins +$10K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 97Better | 97 | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $12 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Better | $50 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $42Wins | $50 | Bismarck wins +$8/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Better | $3.05 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $140Better | $142 | Bismarck wins +$2/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $152Better | $155 | Bismarck wins +$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $60K | $62KBetter | Fargo wins +$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 2.5%Better | 2.5% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.8%Better | 6.8% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Better | $14.00 | Bismarck wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33Better | $35 | Bismarck wins +$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Better | $5.50 | Bismarck wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87Better | 89 | Bismarck wins +2 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 22 | 34Wins | Fargo wins +12 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Bismarck fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Bismarck.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Bismarck cheaper than Fargo?
Yes. Bismarck is 2% cheaper than Fargo based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 89, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Bismarck vs Fargo?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Bismarck is $1,150/month and in Fargo is $1,250/month. Bismarck is cheaper by 8%.
How much do I need to earn in Fargo to match a $75,000 salary in Bismarck?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $76,724/year in Fargo to match a $75,000 salary in Bismarck. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Bismarck or Fargo?
Fargo has the lower state income tax rate at 2.5% vs 2.5%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Bismarck to Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Bismarck offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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