$100K in St. George = $90,625 in Bismarck
Your $100K salary in St. George (COL 96) has the same purchasing power as $90,625 in Bismarck (COL 87). Bismarck is cheaper — your money goes 9% further there.
Budget breakdown — $100K in both cities
What $100K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | St. George $100K | Bismarck $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,929 | $6,113 |
| 1BR rent | $1,300 | $1,150 |
| Groceries | $372 | $369 |
| Transport | $40 | $42 |
| Utilities | $148 | $152 |
| Internet | $63 | $65 |
| Left after essentials | $4,006/month | $4,335/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in St. George equivalent to in Bismarck?
$100K in St. George (COL index 96) has the same purchasing power as $90,625 in Bismarck (COL index 87). That's 9% less than your current salary.
If I move from St. George to Bismarck keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $100K after moving to Bismarck, you'd have $329 more per month after core expenses — because Bismarck is cheaper than St. George.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $100K × (87 ÷ 96) = $90,625. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — St. George to Bismarck
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only