CostIndexUSA

Arlington, TX vs Bismarck, ND Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Arlington
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
More AffordableND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Bismarck is moderately cheaper than Arlington — 11.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $70,600 in Bismarck. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing28.8%
Arlington
117.9
Bismarck
84
🛒 Groceries6.9%
Arlington
102.8
Bismarck
95.7
🚗 Transportation8.6%
Arlington
104.7
Bismarck
95.7
🏥 Healthcare8.6%
Arlington
94.7
Bismarck
86.6
Utilities17.3%
Arlington
90.7
Bismarck
75

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Bismarck, ND
$70,600
$9,400 less needed in Bismarck

Formula: salary × (91 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 0.8826. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Arlington, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Bismarck, ND

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

Arlington has 28.8% lower housing costs compared to Bismarck.

Income & Job Market

Arlington, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
394,266
Top Industries
EntertainmentManufacturingTechnologyHealthcareFinance

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).

Arlington, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.