CostIndexUSA

Bismarck, ND vs Wichita Falls, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Wichita Falls
89.5
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Wichita Falls is slightly cheaper than Bismarck — 1.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $78,700 in Wichita Falls. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing18.8%
Bismarck
84
Wichita Falls
68.2
🛒 Groceries2.0%
Bismarck
95.7
Wichita Falls
93.8
🚗 Transportation+5.6%
Bismarck
95.7
Wichita Falls
101.1
🏥 Healthcare+5.5%
Bismarck
86.6
Wichita Falls
91.4
Utilities+12.1%
Bismarck
75
Wichita Falls
84.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wichita Falls, TX
$78,700
$1,300 less needed in Wichita Falls

Formula: salary × (89.5 ÷ 91) = salary × 0.9835. 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×

Wichita Falls, TX

Median Home Price
$167,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
68.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6×

Bismarck has 18.8% lower housing costs compared to Wichita Falls.

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

Wichita Falls, TX

Median Household Income
$63,500
Per Capita Income
$36,200
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Population
104,553
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingRetailGovernment

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)

Wichita Falls, TX
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.