Cost of Living in Bismarck, ND - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,424 (excluding rent), and $2,438 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,749 (excluding rent), and $4,317 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$42.71 $42.71

$30.15 $30.15

$55.3 $55.3

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$73.7 $73.7

$49.10 $49.10

$123 $123

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.50 $14.50

$9.34 $9.34

$19.66 $19.66

Cappuccino

$5.17 $5.17

$3.55 $3.55

$8.12 $8.12

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.30 $2.30

$2.17 $2.17

$2.47 $2.47

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.24 $1.24

$2.27 $2.27

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.11 $6.11

$4.07 $4.07

$8.65 $8.65

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.07 $7.07

$5.05 $5.05

$10.10 $10.10

Milk (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$1.01 $1.01

$1.09 $1.09

White Bread (500g)

$2.69 $2.69

$1.95 $1.95

$3.90 $3.90

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.30 $4.30

$2.06 $2.06

$8.50 $8.50

Eggs

$4.10 $4.10

$1.95 $1.95

$6.84 $6.84

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.03 $12.03

$6.87 $6.87

$21.63 $21.63

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.08 $14.08

$12.99 $12.99

$15.16 $15.16

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.38 $15.38

$9.89 $9.89

$24.18 $24.18

Apples (1kg)

$4.89 $4.89

$2.55 $2.55

$8.79 $8.79

Banana (1kg)

$1.56 $1.56

$1.07 $1.07

$4.06 $4.06

Oranges (1kg)

$4.22 $4.22

$2.18 $2.18

$8.75 $8.75

Tomato (1kg)

$4.74 $4.74

$2.21 $2.21

$8.84 $8.84

Potato (1kg)

$2.82 $2.82

$1.31 $1.31

$6.10 $6.10

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$1.80 $1.80

$4.34 $4.34

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.12 $2.12

$1.98 $1.98

$2.26 $2.26

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$1.18 $1.18

$3.21 $3.21

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.46 $8.46

$8.21 $8.21

$8.72 $8.72

Wine (Bottle)

$20.31 $20.31

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.85 $1.85

$1.71 $1.71

$2.12 $2.12

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.39 $3.39

$1.61 $1.61

$6.05 $6.05

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.27 $1.27

$2.03 $2.03

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.47 $3.47

$2.97 $2.97

$4.95 $4.95

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.63 $1.63

$1.56 $1.56

$2.19 $2.19

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.58 $29.58

$26.76 $26.76

$35.47 $35.47

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.86 $0.86

$0.76 $0.76

$0.91 $0.91

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.2K $29.2K

$23.3K $23.3K

$35.5K $35.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.8K $25.8K

$25.2K $25.2K

$27.2K $27.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$187 $187

$119 $119

$342 $342

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$69.0 $69.0

$42.16 $42.16

$123 $123

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$92.1 $92.1

$84.6 $84.6

$99.5 $99.5

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.54 $43.54

$17.72 $17.72

$50.6 $50.6

Cinema Ticket

$13.53 $13.53

$11.03 $11.03

$18.04 $18.04

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,308 $1,308

$1,008 $1,008

$1,861 $1,861

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.7K $23.7K

$16.9K $16.9K

$27.5K $27.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.7 $50.7

$29.75 $29.75

$79.3 $79.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.17 $40.17

$25.11 $25.11

$65.3 $65.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$67.9 $67.9

$60.4 $60.4

$75.4 $75.4

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 $113

$64.5 $64.5

$201 $201

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,191 $1,191

$992 $992

$1,389 $1,389

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,009 $1,009

$606 $606

$1,413 $1,413

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,569 $1,569

$1,275 $1,275

$1,765 $1,765

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,173 $1,173

$804 $804

$1,709 $1,709

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,077 $2,077

$2,019 $2,019

$2,161 $2,161

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,060 $2,060

$2,002 $2,002

$2,142 $2,142

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,871 $3,871

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.13

6.19

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 3, 2026

Bismarck, ND Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Bismarck, ND - Frequently Asked Questions

Overall, Bismarck offers a balanced cost of living for a mid-sized U.S. city: you find decent value in housing, groceries, and local services without the high price tag of major coastal hubs. Utilities and healthcare are reliable, and many neighborhoods reward careful searching rather than high rents. The character of daily life – shorter commutes, access to green spaces, and easy access to outdoor recreation – adds value beyond sticker price. Cost of Living in Bismarck, ND, United States tends to be more predictable than in larger metro areas, making budgeting simpler for longer stays. Tip: Map your priorities to prioritize a short, walkable commute.

Daily life in Bismarck blends practicality with easy access to outdoors. Housing options range from affordable rentals in established districts to newer suburban pockets; look for leases that include energy-efficient heating to ease winter bills. Food options are straightforward – local markets, deli counters, and reliable grocery stores keep staples within reach. Transport leans toward car use, with good road connections and walkable downtown areas for short trips. For remote work, co-working spaces and cafes offer reliable setups. The Bismarck, ND, United States living cost frame can help you balance housing, groceries, and transit as you settle. Tip: Prioritize a week-long neighborhood check before choosing a base.

Quality of life in Bismarck tends to blend compact amenities with access to nature, making it a good fit for people who want a comfortable base without a heavy city rhythm. A simple budgeting framework – categorize housing, groceries, transport, and leisure – helps you adapt across seasons. In winter, layering and energy efficiency pay off; in milder months, outdoor recreation and river trails become part of your routine. Explore neighborhoods by vibe: downtown for walkability, riverfront areas for scenery, and quiet suburbs for longer stays. Compare options by transit access, daylight hours, and services rather than sticker prices alone. Tip: try a short-term stay in two areas before committing.