CostIndexUSA

Bismarck, ND vs Fremont, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
CA
Fremont
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent

Bismarck is significantly cheaper than Fremont — 27.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $101,600 in Fremont. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+131.8%
Bismarck
84
Fremont
194.7
🛒 Groceries+13.4%
Bismarck
95.7
Fremont
108.5
🚗 Transportation+16.5%
Bismarck
95.7
Fremont
111.5
🏥 Healthcare+16.5%
Bismarck
86.6
Fremont
100.9
Utilities+130.1%
Bismarck
75
Fremont
172.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Fremont, CA
$101,600
$21,600 more needed in Fremont

Formula: salary × (115.6 ÷ 91) = salary × 1.2703. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bismarck, ND

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

Fremont, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

Fremont has 131.8% higher housing costs compared to Bismarck.

Income & Job Market

Bismarck, ND

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

Fremont, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
230,504
Top Industries
TechnologyManufacturingHealthcareRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

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

Bismarck, ND
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Fremont, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.