CostIndexUSA

Bismarck, ND vs Yakima, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
WA
Yakima
95.5
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Bismarck is slightly cheaper than Yakima — 4.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $84,000 in Yakima. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing13.6%
Bismarck
84
Yakima
72.6
🛒 Groceries+9.7%
Bismarck
95.7
Yakima
105
🚗 Transportation+9.1%
Bismarck
95.7
Yakima
104.4
🏥 Healthcare+9.1%
Bismarck
86.6
Yakima
94.5
Utilities+22.5%
Bismarck
75
Yakima
91.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Yakima, WA
$84,000
$4,000 more needed in Yakima

Formula: salary × (95.5 ÷ 91) = salary × 1.0495. 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×

Yakima, WA

Median Home Price
$342,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
72.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.9×

Bismarck has 13.6% lower housing costs compared to Yakima.

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

Yakima, WA

Median Household Income
$69,500
Per Capita Income
$39,600
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
92,685
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailGovernment

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)

Yakima, WA
4.5×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.