Bismarck, MO vs Charleston, MO

Bismarck, MO and Charleston, MO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. Bismarck scores 62 while Charleston scores 63 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bismarck is $683/month compared to $734/month in Charleston — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bismarck has cheaper rent, Charleston actually has lower median home values ($107,700 vs $108,000).

Median household income in Bismarck is $41,550 compared to $35,139 in Charleston (+18.2%). Bismarck offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bismarck spend roughly 19.7% of their income on rent, less than the 25.1% in Charleston.