CostIndexUSA

Augusta, GA vs Bismarck, ND Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

GA
Augusta
91.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Bismarck is slightly cheaper than Augusta — 1.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $79,200 in Bismarck. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+19.0%
Augusta
70.6
Bismarck
84
🛒 Groceries0.6%
Augusta
96.3
Bismarck
95.7
🚗 Transportation7.5%
Augusta
103.5
Bismarck
95.7
🏥 Healthcare7.5%
Augusta
93.6
Bismarck
86.6
Utilities16.2%
Augusta
89.5
Bismarck
75

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Bismarck, ND
$79,200
$800 less needed in Bismarck

Formula: salary × (91 ÷ 91.9) = salary × 0.9902. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Augusta, GA

Median Home Price
$239,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
70.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.7×

Bismarck, ND

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

Bismarck has 19.0% higher housing costs compared to Augusta.

Income & Job Market

Augusta, GA

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
202,081
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareGovernmentManufacturingEducation

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).

Augusta, GA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.