True Cost of Renting in Bismarck, ND

Bismarck is North Dakota's state capital, sitting at the Missouri River crossing on I-94. State government employment, the Sanford Medical Center campus, and an energy industry presence (oil/gas pipeline and utilities) provide stable employment. No state income tax in North Dakota makes Bismarck a financially interesting option for those drawn to the northern Plains.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

South Bismarck

1 Bed:
$900/mo
2 Bed:
$1,300/mo

Bismarck's primary apartment corridor south of I-94; newer construction complexes near major employers. Montana-Dakota Utilities electric. Warm Springs area retail and restaurants. Car-dependent. Best insulated buildings for North Dakota winters.

Downtown / Near Capitol

Studio:
$700/mo
1 Bed:
$850/mo
2 Bed:
$1,200/mo

State Capitol Complex and downtown business district; state government employment walkable. Bismarck Event Center nearby. Older apartment buildings — higher heating costs in winter. Best walking access to state employment.

Utility Providers

Electric
Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU)
Water
City of Bismarck Water/Wastewater
Internet
Midco, Consolidated Communications, AT&T Internet

Commute & Transportation

Bismarck is midway between Fargo (190 miles east) and Billings (340 miles west) on I-94. Bismarck Municipal Airport (BIS) serves Delta and United connections to Minneapolis and Denver hubs. No passenger rail service. The state Capitol and government complex are north of Downtown. Sanford Medical Center is the largest private employer. North Dakota state government is a major employer. The Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea provide outdoor recreation access.

Rental Market Overview

Bismarck is one of the most affordable state capitals in the US. Montana-Dakota Utilities provides both electric and gas service. Winter heating costs are the primary budget consideration — December through February gas bills can be significant. North Dakota's no-income-tax status is a genuine financial advantage. State government employment provides recession-resistant stability. The oil and gas industry (pipeline operations near Bismarck) creates some higher-wage employment that supports demand for better-quality apartments. North Dakota has no state-level rent control. Bismarck sits far enough from the Bakken oil-formation counties in the northwest corner of the state that it does not experience the sharp boom-and-bust rent swings that hit oil-patch towns like Williston directly, even though state government and pipeline employment give it real exposure to the broader energy economy. The Missouri River crossing here is also the reason I-94 and US-83 meet at Bismarck rather than at a different North Dakota city, which is part of why it became the state capital rather than a larger city like Fargo.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Bismarck

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Bismarck: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Bismarck?
One-bedroom apartments in Bismarck range from $850/month in Downtown / Near Capitol to $900/month in South Bismarck. Two-bedroom units range from $1,200 to $1,300/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Bismarck?
In Bismarck, electricity is provided by Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU), water by City of Bismarck Water/Wastewater, and common internet providers include Midco, Consolidated Communications, AT&T Internet. Ask the leasing office for the specific unit's average monthly bill rather than a city-wide figure — utility costs vary more by building age and insulation than by location within Bismarck.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Bismarck?
Downtown / Near Capitol is the most affordable of the 2 Bismarck neighborhoods covered here, at $850/month for a one-bedroom — $50 less than South Bismarck, roughly a 6% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is Bismarck expensive to rent in?
Across the 2 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Bismarck runs about $875/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. Bismarck is one of the most affordable state capitals in the US. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

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