CostIndexUSA

Bismarck, ND vs Columbus, GA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
More AffordableGA
Columbus
89.3
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Columbus is slightly cheaper than Bismarck — 1.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $78,500 in Columbus. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing27.1%
Bismarck
84
Columbus
61.2
🛒 Groceries+0.6%
Bismarck
95.7
Columbus
96.3
🚗 Transportation+8.2%
Bismarck
95.7
Columbus
103.5
🏥 Healthcare+8.1%
Bismarck
86.6
Columbus
93.6
Utilities+19.6%
Bismarck
75
Columbus
89.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Columbus, GA
$78,500
$1,500 less needed in Columbus

Formula: salary × (89.3 ÷ 91) = salary × 0.9813. 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×

Columbus, GA

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
61.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Bismarck has 27.1% lower housing costs compared to Columbus.

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

Columbus, GA

Median Household Income
$54,700
Per Capita Income
$31,200
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
206,922
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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)

Columbus, GA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.