Bismarck wins overall by ~23% (COL index)
Cost of living: Chicago vs Bismarck (2026)
A $63,500 salary in Chicago buys roughly what $51,631 does in Bismarck (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
−$12,372/yr
Favoring Bismarck for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $1,031/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~15 months and still keep ~$124/mo for dining out.
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 | Chicago Illinois | Bismarck North Dakota | Who wins | Your impact at $64K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500 | $900Wins | Bismarck wins −$600/mo | $7,200/yr saves in Bismarck |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,900 | $1,150Wins | Bismarck wins −$750/mo | $9,000/yr saves in Bismarck |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,600 | $1,500Wins | Bismarck wins −$1,100/mo | $13,200/yr saves in Bismarck |
| Median home price | $360K | $260KWins | Bismarck wins −$100K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 102 | 97Better | Bismarck wins -5 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $15 | $12Wins | Bismarck wins −$3/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60 | $50Wins | Bismarck wins −$10/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $105 | $42Wins | Bismarck wins −$63/mo | $756/yr saves in Bismarck |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40 | $3.05Better | Bismarck wins −$0.35 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $165 | $140Wins | Bismarck wins −$25/mo | $300/yr saves in Bismarck |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $165 | $152Better | Bismarck wins −$13/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $67KBetter | $60K | Chicago wins −$7K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.9% | 2.5%Wins | Bismarck wins -2.4 pp | $1,524/yr saves in Bismarck |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 10.3% | 6.8%Wins | Bismarck wins -3.5 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00 | $13.00Wins | Bismarck wins −$3.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $45 | $33Wins | Bismarck wins −$12/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00 | $5.00Wins | Bismarck wins −$2.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 107 | 87Wins | Bismarck wins -20 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 78Wins | 22 | Chicago wins -56 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,524/yr tax difference into cash back
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
Park ~$9,000/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
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 Chicago cheaper than Bismarck?
No. Bismarck is 23% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Chicago vs Bismarck?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Chicago is $1,900/month and in Bismarck is $1,150/month. Chicago is more expensive by 65%.
How much do I need to earn in Bismarck to match a $75,000 salary in Chicago?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $60,981/year in Bismarck to match a $75,000 salary in Chicago. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Chicago or Bismarck?
Bismarck has the lower state income tax rate at 2.5% vs 4.9%. The difference is 2.4 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Chicago to Bismarck?
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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Salary equivalent: Chicago ↔ Bismarck
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