Jackson wins overall by ~10% (COL index)
Cost of living: Bismarck vs Jackson (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Bismarck buys roughly what $54,483 does in Jackson (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
−$1,560/yr
Favoring Jackson for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $130/mo in Jackson, 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 | Jackson Mississippi | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $900 | $800Better | Jackson wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Jackson |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,150 | $1,000Wins | Jackson wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Jackson |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,500 | $1,300Wins | Jackson wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Jackson |
| Median home price | $260K | $180KWins | Jackson wins −$80K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 97 | 91Better | Jackson wins -6 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12 | $11Better | Jackson wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50 | $44Wins | Jackson wins −$6/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $42 | $38Better | Jackson wins −$4/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05 | $2.95Better | Jackson wins −$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $140Better | $148 | Bismarck wins +$8/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $152Wins | $178 | Bismarck wins +$26/mo | $312/yr saves in Bismarck |
| Internet/mo | $65 | $55Wins | Jackson wins −$10/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $60KWins | $42K | Bismarck wins −$18K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 2.5%Wins | 4.7% | Bismarck wins +2.2 pp | $1,320/yr saves in Bismarck |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.8%Better | 7.1% | Bismarck wins +0.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00 | $12.00Better | Jackson wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33 | $30Better | Jackson wins −$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00 | $4.50Better | Jackson wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87 | 79Better | Jackson wins -8 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 22Better | 22 | — | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,320/yr tax difference into cash back
Jackson 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 Jackson.
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.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bismarck cheaper than Jackson?
No. Jackson is 10% cheaper than Bismarck based on overall cost of living indices (79 vs 87, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Bismarck vs Jackson?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Bismarck is $1,150/month and in Jackson is $1,000/month. Bismarck is more expensive by 15%.
How much do I need to earn in Jackson to match a $75,000 salary in Bismarck?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $68,103/year in Jackson 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 Jackson?
Bismarck has the lower state income tax rate at 2.5% vs 4.7%. The difference is 2.2 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 Jackson?
It depends on your priorities. Jackson 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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