Bismarck, ND at a glance
Median household income
$78,387$6,532 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in Bismarck, ND?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
How much is rent in Bismarck, ND? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Bismarck, ND MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $961 | $11,532 | $38,440 | 14.7% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,030 | $12,360 | $41,200 | 15.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,175 | $14,100 | $47,000 | 18% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,634 | $19,608 | $65,360 | 25% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,884 | $22,608 | $75,360 | 28.8% |
What a typical income covers in Bismarck, ND
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $78,387 a year ($6,532 a month before tax).
What $78,387 leaves after North Dakota taxes
Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and North Dakota tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.
Rent, jobs and pay in North Dakota
Living in Bismarck, ND: common questions
What is the median household income in Bismarck, ND?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Bismarck, ND is $78,387 per year (approximately $6,532 per month).
What is the average rent in Bismarck, ND?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $961 for a studio, $1,030 for one bedroom, $1,175 for two, $1,634 for three and $1,884 for four, utilities included.
It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.
Is Bismarck, ND expensive to live in?
Prices there run 9% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 91.0, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Bismarck, ND?
To keep a $1,175 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $47,000 a year, or $3,917 a month. That is 60% of what the typical household in Bismarck, ND earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Bismarck, ND?
On the local median income of $78,387 ($6,532 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,266 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,960 for everything else and $1,306 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,175 takes 36% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in Bismarck, ND?
Homes in North Dakota paid 14.1¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $127. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.