CostIndexUSA

Atlanta, GA vs Bismarck, ND Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

GA
Atlanta
100.1
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
More AffordableND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Bismarck is moderately cheaper than Atlanta — 9.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlanta, you would need $72,700 in Bismarck. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing24.3%
Atlanta
111
Bismarck
84
🛒 Groceries4.7%
Atlanta
100.4
Bismarck
95.7
🚗 Transportation5.7%
Atlanta
101.5
Bismarck
95.7
🏥 Healthcare5.8%
Atlanta
91.9
Bismarck
86.6
Utilities22.0%
Atlanta
96.2
Bismarck
75

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Bismarck, ND
$72,700
$7,300 less needed in Bismarck

Formula: salary × (91 ÷ 100.1) = salary × 0.9091. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
111
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3×

Bismarck, ND

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.7×

Atlanta has 24.3% lower housing costs compared to Bismarck.

Income & Job Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Household Income
$86,500
Per Capita Income
$49,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
498,715
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaHealthcareLogistics

Bismarck, ND

Median Household Income
$83,400
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Population
73,529
Top Industries
GovernmentEnergyHealthcareFinanceAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Atlanta, GA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Bismarck, ND
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% 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.