CostIndexUSA

Bismarck, ND vs Stockton, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
CA
Stockton
105.1
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Bismarck is significantly cheaper than Stockton — 15.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $92,400 in Stockton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+37.6%
Bismarck
84
Stockton
115.6
🛒 Groceries+9.9%
Bismarck
95.7
Stockton
105.2
🚗 Transportation+10.0%
Bismarck
95.7
Stockton
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+10.0%
Bismarck
86.6
Stockton
95.3
Utilities+110.9%
Bismarck
75
Stockton
158.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$92,400
$12,400 more needed in Stockton

Formula: salary × (105.1 ÷ 91) = salary × 1.1549. 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×

Stockton, CA

Median Home Price
$522,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,325
Housing Index
115.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Stockton has 37.6% 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

Stockton, CA

Median Household Income
$87,400
Per Capita Income
$49,800
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
320,804
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareLogisticsManufacturingEducation

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)

Stockton, CA
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% 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.