CostIndexUSA

Bismarck, ND vs Kansas City, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
MO
Kansas City
92.5
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Bismarck is slightly cheaper than Kansas City — 1.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $81,300 in Kansas City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+3.1%
Bismarck
84
Kansas City
86.6
🛒 Groceries1.7%
Bismarck
95.7
Kansas City
94.1
🚗 Transportation+2.4%
Bismarck
95.7
Kansas City
98
🏥 Healthcare+2.4%
Bismarck
86.6
Kansas City
88.7
Utilities+18.7%
Bismarck
75
Kansas City
89

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Kansas City, MO
$81,300
$1,300 more needed in Kansas City

Formula: salary × (92.5 ÷ 91) = salary × 1.0165. 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×

Kansas City, MO

Median Home Price
$312,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
86.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.9×

Kansas City has 3.1% 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

Kansas City, MO

Median Household Income
$79,800
Per Capita Income
$45,500
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
508,394
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernment

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)

Kansas City, MO
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.