Bismarck

The Dakota Stage Playhouse is a historic theater in downtown Bismarck.
The Dakota Stage Playhouse is a historic theater in downtown Bismarck.
North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum has an impressive natural history collection.
Bismarck Art Alley displays murals spanning a city block.

Bismarck, ND Area Guide

North Dakota’s historical hub awaits on the Missouri River

Culture History Shopping Entertainment Parks Golf

Situated along the Missouri River, Bismarck combines outdoor recreation with city amenities. The state capital features over 2,300 acres of public parkland, including Sertoma Park's three-mile stretch along the riverbank. The city maintains an extensive network of walking and biking trails, and the Dakota Zoo offers year-round activities. Downtown Bismarck houses local shops and restaurants, alongside the Belle Mehus Auditorium, home to the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra. The Art Deco State Capitol building, North Dakota's tallest structure at 241.75 feet, serves as the city's defining landmark.

The rental market in Bismarck shows average rents of $846 for studios, $1,022 for one-bedrooms, and $1,163 for two-bedroom units. Year-over-year increases range from 4.9% to 6.8% for most unit types. Housing options span from downtown apartments near the Capitol complex to residential communities in the expanding northern section. The presence of the University of Mary and Bismarck State College adds to the area's rental demand, while Sanford Health and CHI St. Alexius Medical Center represent major employers in the healthcare sector. With a median household income of $71,917, Bismarck maintains competitive living costs compared to other state capitals. Notable areas include the Cathedral District, distinguished by its American elms and historic homes from the 1880s, and the developing south side along the Missouri River floodplain, which has expanded since the Garrison Dam's construction.

Explore the City

The Dakota Stage Playhouse is a historic theater in downtown Bismarck.

North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum has an impressive natural history collection.

Bismarck Art Alley displays murals spanning a city block.

Rent Trends

As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Bismarck, ND is $949 for a studio, $1,123 for one bedroom, $1,260 for two bedrooms, and $1,678 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Bismarck has increased by 4.5% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,123/month
710 Sq Ft
House
$1,895/month
1,151 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Bismarck, ND

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Bismarck, ND is 13.2% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Bismarck is 30.4% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $949 - $1,678. You can expect to pay 1.3% more for groceries, 17.1% less for utilities, and 4.9% less for transportation.

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Getting Around

Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Bismarck, ND is for everyday living.

Car-Dependent

43 / 100

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

Somewhat Bikeable

40 / 100

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Horizon Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

Wachter Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

Simle Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

Burleigh County Spec Ed Unit

Public

Grades K-12

Manning Elementary School

Public

Grades K-8

Century High School

Public

Grades 9-12

Bismarck High School

Public

Grades 9-12

Legacy High School

Public

Grades 9-12

Bismarck Spec Ed Unit

Public

Grades K-12

Burleigh County Spec Ed Unit

Public

Grades K-12

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Dakota Prairie Grasslands
  • Gateway to Science
  • Dakota Zoo
  • Ft. Abraham Lincoln State Park

Airports

  • Bismarck Municipal

Top Apartments in Bismarck

Houses for Rent in Bismarck

Property Management Companies in Bismarck, ND

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.