CostIndexUSA

Bismarck, ND vs Kalamazoo, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
MI
Kalamazoo
94.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Bismarck is slightly cheaper than Kalamazoo — 4.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $83,300 in Kalamazoo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing2.9%
Bismarck
84
Kalamazoo
81.6
🛒 Groceries2.1%
Bismarck
95.7
Kalamazoo
93.7
🚗 Transportation+9.2%
Bismarck
95.7
Kalamazoo
104.5
🏥 Healthcare+9.2%
Bismarck
86.6
Kalamazoo
94.6
Utilities+32.4%
Bismarck
75
Kalamazoo
99.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Kalamazoo, MI
$83,300
$3,300 more needed in Kalamazoo

Formula: salary × (94.8 ÷ 91) = salary × 1.0418. 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×

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
81.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Bismarck has 2.9% lower housing costs compared to Kalamazoo.

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

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
72,305
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingPharmaceuticalsFinance

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)

Kalamazoo, MI
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.