CostIndexUSA

Bismarck, ND vs Newark, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
NJ
Newark
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

Bismarck is significantly cheaper than Newark — 23.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $99,000 in Newark. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+76.9%
Bismarck
84
Newark
148.6
🛒 Groceries+15.3%
Bismarck
95.7
Newark
110.3
🚗 Transportation+16.1%
Bismarck
95.7
Newark
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+16.1%
Bismarck
86.6
Newark
100.5
Utilities+69.3%
Bismarck
75
Newark
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Newark, NJ
$99,000
$19,000 more needed in Newark

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 91) = salary × 1.2374. 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×

Newark, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Newark has 76.9% 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

Newark, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
311,549
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernmentFinance

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)

Newark, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% 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.