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

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $2,469 monthly including rent, or $1,424 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,428 with rent, or $2,155 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,386 including rent, or $2,887 for daily expenses alone.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$42.36 $42.36

$29.90 $29.90

$54.8 $54.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$76.0 $76.0

$50.7 $50.7

$127 $127

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.66 $14.66

$9.44 $9.44

$19.88 $19.88

Cappuccino

$5.05 $5.05

$3.47 $3.47

$7.93 $7.93

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

$2.28 $2.28

$2.16 $2.16

$2.45 $2.45

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.74 $1.74

$1.23 $1.23

$2.25 $2.25

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.87 $5.87

$3.91 $3.91

$8.32 $8.32

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.20 $7.20

$5.14 $5.14

$10.29 $10.29

Milk (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$1.01 $1.01

$1.10 $1.10

White Bread (500g)

$2.69 $2.69

$1.95 $1.95

$3.91 $3.91

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.29 $4.29

$2.06 $2.06

$8.49 $8.49

Eggs

$4.26 $4.26

$2.03 $2.03

$7.10 $7.10

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.16 $12.16

$6.94 $6.94

$21.87 $21.87

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.45 $14.45

$13.34 $13.34

$15.56 $15.56

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.73 $15.73

$10.12 $10.12

$24.73 $24.73

Apples (1kg)

$5.01 $5.01

$2.61 $2.61

$8.99 $8.99

Banana (1kg)

$1.55 $1.55

$1.07 $1.07

$4.05 $4.05

Oranges (1kg)

$4.22 $4.22

$2.18 $2.18

$8.76 $8.76

Tomato (1kg)

$4.70 $4.70

$2.19 $2.19

$8.76 $8.76

Potato (1kg)

$2.83 $2.83

$1.31 $1.31

$6.12 $6.12

Onion (1kg)

$2.91 $2.91

$1.88 $1.88

$4.52 $4.52

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.09 $2.09

$1.94 $1.94

$2.22 $2.22

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.13 $2.13

$1.19 $1.19

$3.22 $3.22

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.07 $8.07

$7.82 $7.82

$8.31 $8.31

Wine (Bottle)

$20.36 $20.36

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.84 $1.84

$1.70 $1.70

$2.10 $2.10

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.42 $3.42

$1.63 $1.63

$6.11 $6.11

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.23 $1.23

$1.97 $1.97

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.60 $3.60

$3.09 $3.09

$5.15 $5.15

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.63 $1.63

$1.56 $1.56

$2.19 $2.19

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.02 $29.02

$26.25 $26.25

$34.80 $34.80

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 $0.88

$0.78 $0.78

$0.93 $0.93

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

$29.0K $29.0K

$23.2K $23.2K

$35.3K $35.3K

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

$25.3K $25.3K

$24.7K $24.7K

$26.7K $26.7K

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

$189 $189

$121 $121

$346 $346

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

$70.6 $70.6

$43.18 $43.18

$126 $126

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$94.1 $94.1

$86.4 $86.4

$102 $102

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.31 $42.31

$17.22 $17.22

$49.20 $49.20

Cinema Ticket

$13.71 $13.71

$11.17 $11.17

$18.29 $18.29

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

$1,289 $1,289

$993 $993

$1,834 $1,834

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.7K $23.7K

$17.0K $17.0K

$27.6K $27.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.4 $51.4

$30.15 $30.15

$80.4 $80.4

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.40 $40.40

$25.25 $25.25

$65.6 $65.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$66.9 $66.9

$59.4 $59.4

$74.3 $74.3

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 $112

$64.1 $64.1

$200 $200

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,187 $1,187

$989 $989

$1,384 $1,384

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,019 $1,019

$612 $612

$1,427 $1,427

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,584 $1,584

$1,287 $1,287

$1,782 $1,782

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,174 $1,174

$805 $805

$1,710 $1,710

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,050 $2,050

$1,993 $1,993

$2,133 $2,133

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,065 $2,065

$2,007 $2,007

$2,148 $2,148

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,924 $3,924

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: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,187 for a central one-bedroom, or $1,019 outside the center. At 30% of the average salary ($3,924), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $3,924, while typical expenses reach $2,469. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $407 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $76.0 for two.

Cost Highlights

Meal at budget restaurant is among the 20 most expensive worldwide (out of 7,611 cities)

Internet is more expensive than 97% of cities in North America

Monthly cost (excluding rent) is more expensive than 97% of cities in North America

Bismarck, ND Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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.

Budget at least $2,469 per month to live in Bismarck, ND once rent is factored in. The high price tag reflects quality infrastructure and a strong economy, but it does mean you need a decent income to live comfortably here.

With 30% of the average paycheck going to rent, Bismarck, ND is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.

At $3,924 take-home, most residents in Bismarck, ND can cover the $2,469 monthly cost of living. Those earning $3,704 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.

Where you live in Bismarck, ND makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $1,187; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $1,019. Overall, the market runs from $1,019 to $1,187 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.

Bismarck, ND isn't cheap for groceries. Monthly bills reach $407 for a single person, and even basic items cost more than in most comparable cities. Cooking at home is still the most economical approach.

At around $42.31 monthly, gym costs in Bismarck, ND are on the steep side. The price tracks with the city's overall high cost of services, though annual contracts and promotional deals can cut the bill.

At $2,469 in typical monthly expenses, a $3,000 budget barely covers Bismarck, ND. You'd need a shared flat in an outer area, home-cooked meals, and serious discipline with discretionary spending to make it work.

Bismarck, ND offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value fast internet, low crime rates, clean air, and at around $2,469 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.

Monthly expenses in Bismarck, ND run around $2,469, so putting money aside takes more than $3,704 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.