CostIndexUSA

Bismarck, ND vs Pocatello, ID Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
More AffordableID
Pocatello
88.9
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Pocatello is slightly cheaper than Bismarck — 2.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $78,200 in Pocatello. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing21.0%
Bismarck
84
Pocatello
66.4
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Bismarck
95.7
Pocatello
96.2
🚗 Transportation+8.6%
Bismarck
95.7
Pocatello
103.9
🏥 Healthcare+8.5%
Bismarck
86.6
Pocatello
94
Utilities6.9%
Bismarck
75
Pocatello
69.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pocatello, ID
$78,200
$1,800 less needed in Pocatello

Formula: salary × (88.9 ÷ 91) = salary × 0.9769. 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×

Pocatello, ID

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
66.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.3×

Bismarck has 21.0% lower housing costs compared to Pocatello.

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

Pocatello, ID

Median Household Income
$68,500
Per Capita Income
$39,000
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
Population
56,606
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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)

Pocatello, ID
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.