Bismarck, ND vs Mandan, ND

Bismarck, ND and Mandan, ND have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Bismarck scores 85 while Mandan scores 83 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 $992/month compared to $1,044/month in Mandan — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bismarck has cheaper rent, Mandan actually has lower median home values ($246,300 vs $291,400).

Median household income in Bismarck is $77,608 compared to $75,966 in Mandan (+2.2%). The higher salaries in Bismarck partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bismarck spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 16.5% in Mandan.