Montgomery wins overall by ~7% (COL index)
Cost of living: Bismarck vs Montgomery (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Bismarck buys roughly what $55,862 does in Montgomery (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
−$530/yr
Favoring Montgomery for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $44/mo in Montgomery, 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 | Montgomery Alabama | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $900 | $850Better | Montgomery wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Montgomery |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,150 | $1,050Better | Montgomery wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Montgomery |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,500 | $1,400Better | Montgomery wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Montgomery |
| Median home price | $260K | $195KWins | Montgomery wins −$65K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 97 | 93Better | Montgomery wins -4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12 | $11Better | Montgomery wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50 | $46Better | Montgomery wins −$4/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $42 | $38Better | Montgomery wins −$4/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05 | $2.98Better | Montgomery wins −$0.07 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $140Better | $148 | Bismarck wins +$8/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $152Better | $170 | Bismarck wins +$18/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65 | $58Better | Montgomery wins −$7/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $60KWins | $44K | Bismarck wins −$16K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 2.5%Wins | 5.0% | Bismarck wins +2.5 pp | $1,500/yr saves in Bismarck |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.8%Wins | 9.2% | Bismarck wins +2.4 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Better | $13.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33 | $30Better | Montgomery wins −$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Better | $5.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87 | 81Better | Montgomery wins -6 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 22 | 24Better | Montgomery wins +2 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,500/yr tax difference into cash back
Montgomery 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 Montgomery.
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
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
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 Montgomery?
No. Montgomery is 7% cheaper than Bismarck based on overall cost of living indices (81 vs 87, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Bismarck vs Montgomery?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Bismarck is $1,150/month and in Montgomery is $1,050/month. Bismarck is more expensive by 10%.
How much do I need to earn in Montgomery to match a $75,000 salary in Bismarck?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $69,828/year in Montgomery 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 Montgomery?
Bismarck has the lower state income tax rate at 2.5% vs 5%. The difference is 2.5 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 Montgomery?
It depends on your priorities. Montgomery 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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Salary equivalent: Bismarck ↔ Montgomery
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