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City · 75,556 residents · Burleigh County, North Dakota

Bismarck , North Dakota

In Bismarck, a typical home is worth $300,300 and typical rent is $999 a month. Compared with all of Burleigh County, typical household income is 10% lower, the typical home value is 7% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 6 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $300,300

    7% below the county

    20% above North Dakota

    • Bismarck
    • Burleigh
    • North Dakota

  • Typical rent

    $999a month

    About the same as the county

    5% above North Dakota

    • Bismarck
    • Burleigh
    • North Dakota

  • Typical household income

    $78,387a year

    10% below the county

    2% above North Dakota

    • Bismarck
    • Burleigh
    • North Dakota

  • Households that own their home

    65%

    6 points below the county

    3 points above North Dakota

    • Bismarck
    • Burleigh
    • North Dakota

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$378,242
5.3% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,242 a month
3% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Bismarck is in Burleigh County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Burleigh County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Bismarck apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Nearby, in Devils Lake, the typical home value is $164,900: 45% less than in Bismarck ($300,300).

  2. Nearby, in Devils Lake, the typical rent is $711: 29% less than in Bismarck ($999).

  3. 65% of households in Bismarck own their home, against 71% in Burleigh County.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Bismarck

What homes there are in Bismarck, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

Homes in Bismarck are varied: detached houses are the largest group, at 47%, against 55% in Burleigh County.

Year built

In Bismarck, half of the homes were built before 1985; in Burleigh County, before 1988.

Homes in Bismarck are smaller: 59% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Burleigh County, 65%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

About 89% of owner-occupied homes in Bismarck are worth less than the FHA loan limit for Burleigh County ($541,287).

Monthly rent with utilities

Measured against HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,067), about 54% of rented homes in Bismarck cost less.

With a mortgage

$1,847 a month

Burleigh County: $1,882 a month

Without a mortgage

$636 a month

Burleigh County: $631 a month

Owners with a mortgage

54%

Burleigh County: 57%

In Bismarck, 54% of owners have a mortgage; their typical cost is $1,847 a month, about the same as in Burleigh County.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in Bismarck rose 22% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Burleigh County (23%).

The typical rent in Bismarck rose 15% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Burleigh County (15%).

To compare: typical income in Bismarck rose 22%; the home, +22%; the rent, +15%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureBismarckBurleigh CountyNorth DakotaUnited States
Rental vacancy 6.6%6.8%8.3%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1.2%0.9%
More than one person per room 2.0%1.8%2.2%3.4%
People per household 2.212.342.282.53
Drive alone 80%79%78%69%
Carpool 9%9%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0%3%
Walk or bike 2%2%4%3%
Work from home 8%9%8%15%
Other means 1%1%1%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutes10 to 19 minutes10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Burleigh County, the rental vacancy rate in Bismarck is 6.6%.

Much as in Burleigh County, 2.0% of households in Bismarck have more than one person per room.

Households in Bismarck are smaller: 2.21 people on average; in Burleigh County, 2.34.

The car rules in Bismarck: 80% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 10 to 19 minutes.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Bismarck?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Bismarck, worth $300,300, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 38% of the typical household income in Bismarck, which is $78,387 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $107,494 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Burleigh County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Bismarck. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $10,511 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$2,508

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$294,860
Total interest
$424,235
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $5,071 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,829 a month

  • Tight

    $1,829 to $2,352 a month

  • Hard

    more than $2,352 a month

    Your payment · 38%

Compared with the typical household income in Bismarck ($78,387 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,508
Principal & interest$1,997
Property tax$253
Home insurance$125
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$133

You need at least $10,511 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Bismarck and Burleigh County

Bismarck is in Burleigh County, North Dakota. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Bismarck's own numbers

Typical home value
$300,300
Typical monthly rent
$999
Typical yearly household income
$78,387
Households that own their home
65%
Effective property tax rate
1.01%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Burleigh County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,067
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+33%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2.9%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Burleigh County.

Everything about Burleigh County

Buying

Buying a home in Bismarck

A typical home in Bismarck is worth $300,300: 7% below the county and 20% above North Dakota. With the typical household income in Bismarck ($78,387 a year), a typical home costs 3.8 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Bismarck 3.8 years
  • Burleigh 3.7 years
  • North Dakota 3.3 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Burleigh County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Burleigh County rose 38% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Burleigh County.

Period County North Dakota U.S.
Last year (2025) +3.4% +5.1% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +33% +34% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +38% +45% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Bismarck next to Burleigh County, North Dakota and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Bismarck $300,300
  • Burleigh $324,000
  • North Dakota $249,900
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Bismarck $999
  • Burleigh $998
  • North Dakota $954
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Bismarck $78,387
  • Burleigh $86,851
  • North Dakota $76,657
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Bismarck next to Burleigh County and North Dakota
Measure Bismarck Burleigh County North Dakota U.S.
Typical home value $300,300 $324,000 $249,900 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $999 $998 $954 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $78,387 $86,851 $76,657 $80,734
Households that own their home 65% 71% 63% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $3,023 $2,863 $2,468 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.01% 0.88% 0.99% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 40% 39% 39% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Burleigh County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Bismarck

For a typical $300,300 home in Bismarck, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Bismarck's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $2,508a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $10,511
    Cash to close
    $19,520
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $133

  • Conventional, 5% down $2,453a month

    Down payment
    $15,015
    Cash to close
    $24,024
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $143

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $2,005a month

    Down payment
    $60,060
    Cash to close
    $69,069
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,283a month

    Down payment
    $45,045
    Cash to close
    $54,054
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Bismarck and for Burleigh County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Bismarck

1.01%of the home’s value each year

$3,023 a year for the typical owner in Bismarck.

  • Bismarck 1.01%
  • Burleigh 0.88%
  • North Dakota 0.99%

What North Dakota publishes Primary Residence Credit (North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner)

Exemptions and deadlines in North Dakota

Flood risk in Burleigh County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Burleigh County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
2.9%
980
Of those, with NFIP insurance
42%
County North Dakota U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 2.9% 3.1% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 42% 28% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Bismarck

Typical rent in Bismarck is $999 a month: about the same as the county. In Bismarck, 40% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Burleigh County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,067 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $20.52 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Burleigh County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $865 $16.63 $34,600
1 bedroom $927 $17.83 $37,080
2 bedrooms $1,067 $20.52 $42,680
3 bedrooms $1,477 $28.40 $59,080
4 bedrooms $1,696 $32.62 $67,840

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Bismarck

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Bismarck has 4 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,060 in 58501 to $1,180 in 58503.

1 of the 4 is above the fair market rent for Burleigh County ($1,067).

  • 58501 $1,060$1,480
  • 58503 $1,180$1,640
  • 58504 $1,060$1,480
  • 58505 $1,060$1,480

3 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Bismarck when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Bismarck

HUD lists 30 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Bismarck. These are the largest.

  • Crescent Manor 107 E Bowen Ave, Bismarck 58504 135 low-income homes · Run by Burleigh County Housing Authority · Average payment: $343 a month · Average wait: 5 months · Homes at several sites (701) 255-2540
  • Patterson Place 420 E Main Ave, Bismarck 58501 117 low-income homes · For older adults (701) 255-6067
  • Washington Court 322 W Arbor Ave, Bismarck 58504 96 homes, 78 low-income · For families (701) 255-2540
  • Alberta Heights Apts 4111 Lockport St, Bismarck 58503 68 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 37 · 3 bd: 23 · In service since 2001
  • Brandon Heights Village 611 E Calgary Ave, Bismarck 58503 60 low-income homes · 2 bd: 60 · In service since 2002

See all 30 buildings in Burleigh County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Bismarck

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Burleigh County; none says it serves in Spanish.

A young man and a young woman look something up together on a laptop.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Bismarck

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Bismarck or Burleigh County. The ones below are statewide in North Dakota: they work in Bismarck the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in North Dakota

  • FirstHome Start

    Statewide in North Dakota

    With the North Dakota state agency's FirstHome mortgage, the buyer gets 3% of the loan as a credit toward the cash due at closing (down payment, closing costs and prepaid expenses); it cannot be combined with other assistance. Offered by North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA).

    Grant

    See the program Official page

  • DCA

    Statewide in North Dakota

    North Dakota state agency help for low-income buyers with an agency mortgage: 3% of the loan as a credit toward the cash you need at closing (down payment, closing costs and prepaid expenses); it cannot be combined with other assistance. Offered by North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA).

    Grant

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Bismarck

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Bismarck, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • North Dakota Housing Finance Agency

    2624 Vermont Avenue, Bismarck · 2 miles away

    (701) 328-8060

  • Community Action Partnership - Minot Region

    2020 8th Ave SE, Minot · 100 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Homelessness services
    • and 1 more
    (701) 839-7221

  • Southeastern North Dakota Community Action Ag

    3233 University Dr S, Fargo · 188 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Homelessness services
    • and 1 more
    (701) 232-2452

Every agency in Burleigh County All counseling agencies in North Dakota

Help in Spanish near Bismarck

None of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Bismarck

HUD’s record names them for Bismarck or Burleigh County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Burleigh County Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (701) 255-2540

One other authority has an office in Burleigh County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Bismarck, with the typical home value.

Everything about Burleigh County Housing in North Dakota

Neighboring counties

If Burleigh County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Bismarck.

All guides
A mother holds hands with her two daughters on the beach at sunset.

Questions

Housing questions about Bismarck

Short answers with the numbers for Bismarck and all of Burleigh County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Bismarck?

The typical home value in Bismarck is $300,300, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Burleigh County it is $324,000.

How much does it cost to rent in Bismarck?

Typical rent in Bismarck is $999 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Burleigh County is $1,067.

What is the FHA loan limit in Bismarck?

Bismarck uses the FHA limit for all of Burleigh County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Bismarck?

The typical homeowner in Bismarck pays $3,023 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.01% of the home’s value; in Burleigh County, the rate is 0.88%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Bismarck?

There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Burleigh County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).