Bismarck wins overall by ~2% (COL index)
Cost of living: Fargo vs Bismarck (2026)
A $61,000 salary in Fargo buys roughly what $59,629 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
−$1,373/yr
Favoring Bismarck for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $114/mo in Bismarck, 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 | Fargo North Dakota | Bismarck North Dakota | Who wins | Your impact at $61K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,000 | $900Better | Bismarck wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Bismarck |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,250 | $1,150Better | Bismarck wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Bismarck |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,650 | $1,500Better | Bismarck wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Bismarck |
| Median home price | $270K | $260KBetter | Bismarck wins −$10K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 97Better | 97 | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $12 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Better | $50 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $50 | $42Wins | Bismarck wins −$8/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Better | $3.05 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $142 | $140Better | Bismarck wins −$2/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $155 | $152Better | Bismarck wins −$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $62KBetter | $60K | Fargo wins −$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 2.5%Better | 2.5% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.8%Better | 6.8% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00 | $13.00Better | Bismarck wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35 | $33Better | Bismarck wins −$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50 | $5.00Better | Bismarck wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 89 | 87Better | Bismarck wins -2 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 34Wins | 22 | Fargo wins -12 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
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
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
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Frequently asked questions
Is Fargo cheaper than Bismarck?
No. Bismarck is 2% cheaper than Fargo based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 89, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Fargo vs Bismarck?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Fargo is $1,250/month and in Bismarck is $1,150/month. Fargo is more expensive by 9%.
How much do I need to earn in Bismarck to match a $75,000 salary in Fargo?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $73,315/year in Bismarck to match a $75,000 salary in Fargo. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Fargo or Bismarck?
Bismarck has the lower state income tax rate at 2.5% vs 2.5%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Fargo 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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