CostIndexUSA

Allentown, PA vs Bismarck, ND Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Bismarck is moderately cheaper than Allentown — 9.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $72,800 in Bismarck. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing20.4%
Allentown
105.5
Bismarck
84
🛒 Groceries4.9%
Allentown
100.6
Bismarck
95.7
🚗 Transportation6.7%
Allentown
102.6
Bismarck
95.7
🏥 Healthcare6.8%
Allentown
92.9
Bismarck
86.6
Utilities30.3%
Allentown
107.6
Bismarck
75

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Allentown to see what you'd need to earn in Bismarck to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Bismarck, ND
$72,800
$7,200 less needed in Bismarck

Formula: salary × (91 ÷ 100) = salary × 0.9100. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Allentown, PA

Median Home Price
$349,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
105.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6×

Bismarck, ND

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.7×

Allentown has 20.4% lower housing costs compared to Bismarck.

Income & Job Market

Allentown, PA

Median Household Income
$81,200
Per Capita Income
$46,300
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
125,845
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailLogisticsFinance

Bismarck, ND

Median Household Income
$83,400
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Population
73,529
Top Industries
GovernmentEnergyHealthcareFinanceAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Allentown, PA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Bismarck, ND
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.