Bismarck, ND vs Rochester, MN: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Rochester, MN and Bismarck, ND are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Bismarck works out to about $74,800 in Rochester, before taxes.
- Housing is 6.4% lower in Rochester, goods 0.3% lower and other services 1.1% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 16.5% higher in Rochester.
- Typical asking rent is $1,590 a month in Rochester and $1,303 in Bismarck, $3,444 a year more in Rochester (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $338,000 in Rochester and $356,000 in Bismarck.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.5%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Bismarck and Rochester
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Bismarck, ND
- Rochester, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Bismarck, ND | Rochester, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.0 | 90.8 |
| Goods | 95.7 | 95.4 |
| Housing (rents) | 84.0 | 78.6 |
| Utilities | 75.0 | 87.4 |
| Other services | 91.2 | 92.2 |
| Category | Bismarck | Rochester | Rochester vs Bismarck |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.0 | 90.8 | −0.2% |
| Goods | 95.7 | 95.4 | −0.3% |
| Housing (rents) | 84.0 | 78.6 | −6.4% |
| Utilities | 75.0 | 87.4 | +16.5% |
| Other services | 91.2 | 92.2 | +1.1% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,303 | $1,590 | +22.0% |
| Typical home value | $356,000 | $338,000 | −5.0% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Bismarck | $75,000 | $74,800 | −0.2% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Bismarck and Rochester has narrowed since 2008: 5.2 points then, 0.2 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Bismarck, ND
- Rochester, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Bismarck, ND | Rochester, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 90.0 | 95.2 |
| 2009 | 92.0 | 95.6 |
| 2010 | 88.7 | 91.2 |
| 2011 | 89.6 | 93.6 |
| 2012 | 95.2 | 94.5 |
| 2013 | 95.9 | 93.9 |
| 2014 | 96.8 | 95.9 |
| 2015 | 93.6 | 93.6 |
| 2016 | 96.0 | 92.8 |
| 2017 | 91.1 | 92.8 |
| 2018 | 91.4 | 93.1 |
| 2019 | 94.2 | 94.7 |
| 2020 | 92.6 | 96.7 |
| 2021 | 94.1 | 91.9 |
| 2022 | 91.1 | 92.0 |
| 2023 | 89.4 | 93.0 |
| 2024 | 91.0 | 90.8 |
Goods
- Bismarck, ND
- Rochester, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Bismarck, ND | Rochester, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.2 | 93.0 |
| 2009 | 97.4 | 94.0 |
| 2010 | 96.4 | 95.5 |
| 2011 | 96.2 | 95.0 |
| 2012 | 97.4 | 96.0 |
| 2013 | 97.6 | 95.8 |
| 2014 | 98.9 | 97.6 |
| 2015 | 98.3 | 97.6 |
| 2016 | 97.7 | 96.6 |
| 2017 | 95.5 | 95.0 |
| 2018 | 94.0 | 93.1 |
| 2019 | 96.6 | 96.5 |
| 2020 | 96.4 | 96.3 |
| 2021 | 94.2 | 94.4 |
| 2022 | 94.1 | 94.6 |
| 2023 | 97.0 | 97.0 |
| 2024 | 95.7 | 95.4 |
Housing (rents)
- Bismarck, ND
- Rochester, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Bismarck, ND | Rochester, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 53.3 | 90.8 |
| 2009 | 64.1 | 91.9 |
| 2010 | 52.3 | 66.6 |
| 2011 | 62.7 | 84.2 |
| 2012 | 90.9 | 87.8 |
| 2013 | 90.7 | 82.1 |
| 2014 | 96.5 | 94.2 |
| 2015 | 81.3 | 87.7 |
| 2016 | 98.1 | 82.6 |
| 2017 | 74.9 | 87.1 |
| 2018 | 73.1 | 80.7 |
| 2019 | 82.3 | 87.2 |
| 2020 | 73.8 | 101.3 |
| 2021 | 91.8 | 76.4 |
| 2022 | 79.0 | 91.2 |
| 2023 | 75.7 | 93.0 |
| 2024 | 84.0 | 78.6 |
Utilities
- Bismarck, ND
- Rochester, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Bismarck, ND | Rochester, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 78.9 | 85.2 |
| 2009 | 76.4 | 83.8 |
| 2010 | 77.0 | 86.8 |
| 2011 | 78.9 | 86.9 |
| 2012 | 80.6 | 85.7 |
| 2013 | 79.8 | 88.3 |
| 2014 | 74.9 | 88.1 |
| 2015 | 75.1 | 86.1 |
| 2016 | 73.6 | 86.2 |
| 2017 | 78.9 | 88.6 |
| 2018 | 86.3 | 96.2 |
| 2019 | 85.8 | 94.4 |
| 2020 | 87.4 | 94.7 |
| 2021 | 88.3 | 95.2 |
| 2022 | 88.2 | 95.5 |
| 2023 | 76.0 | 88.9 |
| 2024 | 75.0 | 87.4 |
Other services
- Bismarck, ND
- Rochester, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Bismarck, ND | Rochester, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.0 | 98.6 |
| 2009 | 99.6 | 98.4 |
| 2010 | 98.4 | 97.8 |
| 2011 | 95.3 | 95.7 |
| 2012 | 96.2 | 96.1 |
| 2013 | 97.2 | 96.6 |
| 2014 | 96.6 | 95.7 |
| 2015 | 95.2 | 93.3 |
| 2016 | 95.5 | 94.2 |
| 2017 | 94.7 | 93.5 |
| 2018 | 95.8 | 96.4 |
| 2019 | 96.5 | 95.8 |
| 2020 | 96.3 | 95.6 |
| 2021 | 95.1 | 95.0 |
| 2022 | 92.5 | 90.5 |
| 2023 | 89.6 | 90.8 |
| 2024 | 91.2 | 92.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,590 in Rochester vs $1,303 in Bismarck
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Bismarck, ND
- Rochester, MN
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Bismarck, ND | Rochester, MN | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $1,051 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $1,064 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $1,064 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $1,060 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $1,101 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $1,090 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | $1,104 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | $1,079 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | $1,138 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | $1,143 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | $1,125 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $1,103 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $1,107 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | – | $1,160 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | – | $1,178 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $887 | $1,176 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $904 | $1,178 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $925 | $1,205 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $927 | $1,212 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $926 | $1,199 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $924 | $1,225 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $931 | $1,221 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $968 | $1,214 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $941 | $1,202 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $968 | $1,255 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $951 | $1,289 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $970 | $1,293 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,005 | $1,297 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $971 | $1,349 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,003 | $1,402 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,006 | $1,397 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,038 | $1,396 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,057 | $1,426 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,074 | $1,460 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,101 | $1,429 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,119 | $1,431 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,120 | $1,469 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,161 | $1,493 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,188 | $1,476 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,192 | $1,496 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,186 | $1,524 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,242 | $1,555 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,255 | $1,560 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,278 | $1,518 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,294 | $1,556 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,299 | $1,590 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,303 | $1,590 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $338,000 in Rochester vs $356,000 in Bismarck
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Bismarck, ND
- Rochester, MN
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Bismarck, ND | Rochester, MN | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $254K | $173K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $259K | $175K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $261K | $179K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $260K | $182K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $260K | $185K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $258K | $189K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $255K | $193K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $253K | $197K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $253K | $200K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $254K | $206K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $254K | $209K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $254K | $213K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $253K | $217K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $254K | $219K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $254K | $223K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $252K | $225K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $253K | $228K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $255K | $231K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $257K | $233K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $258K | $236K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $258K | $239K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $259K | $242K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $263K | $246K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $266K | $256K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $269K | $264K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $277K | $275K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $284K | $282K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $289K | $284K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $297K | $297K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $304K | $309K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $304K | $306K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $307K | $303K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $306K | $302K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $312K | $308K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $316K | $310K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $316K | $310K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $317K | $312K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $320K | $316K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $323K | $316K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $328K | $320K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $331K | $322K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $334K | $322K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $338K | $326K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $345K | $331K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $350K | $335K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $352K | $336K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $356K | $338K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.