Toledo wins overall by ~7% (COL index)
Cost of living: Toledo vs Bismarck (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Toledo buys roughly what $64,444 does in Bismarck (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$1,309/yr
Favoring Toledo for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $109/mo in Toledo, 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 | Toledo Ohio | Bismarck North Dakota | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $850Better | $900 | Toledo wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Toledo |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,050Better | $1,150 | Toledo wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Toledo |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,400Better | $1,500 | Toledo wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Toledo |
| Median home price | $180KWins | $260K | Toledo wins +$80K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 94Better | 97 | Toledo wins +3 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $12 | Toledo wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $48Better | $50 | Toledo wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $58 | $42Wins | Bismarck wins −$16/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10 | $3.05Better | Bismarck wins −$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148 | $140Better | Bismarck wins −$8/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $160 | $152Better | Bismarck wins −$8/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $65 | Toledo wins +$7/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $46K | $60KWins | Bismarck wins +$14K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 3.5% | 2.5%Wins | Bismarck wins -1.0 pp | $600/yr saves in Bismarck |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.2% | 6.8%Better | Bismarck wins -0.4 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Better | $13.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33Better | $33 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Better | $5.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 81Better | 87 | Toledo wins +6 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 42Wins | 22 | Toledo wins -20 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
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Toledo 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 Toledo.
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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Frequently asked questions
Is Toledo cheaper than Bismarck?
Yes. Toledo 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 Toledo vs Bismarck?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Toledo is $1,050/month and in Bismarck is $1,150/month. Toledo is cheaper by 9%.
How much do I need to earn in Bismarck to match a $75,000 salary in Toledo?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $80,556/year in Bismarck to match a $75,000 salary in Toledo. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Toledo or Bismarck?
Bismarck has the lower state income tax rate at 2.5% vs 3.5%. The difference is 1.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Toledo to Bismarck?
It depends on your priorities. Toledo 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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