Rents are 4% below what Bismarck's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,242 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Bismarck is 1.3% below its high of $1,258 in February 2026, at $1,242 as of September 2026.
Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($78,387) is $1,960 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,763).
The priciest of 3 ZIP codes in Bismarck, 58503 ($1,417/mo), costs 42% more than the cheapest, 58501 ($999/mo).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Bismarck. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Bismarck, ND is majority owner-occupied, 39.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Bismarck, ND has changed in 5 years
Since 2023, the typical rent in Bismarck, ND has climbed from $1,043 to $1,242, a 19.1% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $70,125 in 2021 to $78,387 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 3.0% since 2021, moving from about 73,321 residents to roughly 75,556. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Bismarck, ND market of 2023.
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Can you afford rent in Bismarck on your salary?
At $1,242/mo, how Bismarck rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Bismarck rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Bismarck. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Bismarck
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Bismarck is $1,242/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $850/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,050/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $943/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,470/mo.
At 19% of local median household income ($78,387/yr), Bismarck ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Bismarck?
Which Bismarck neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Bismarck rent compare to other cities in North Dakota?
At $1,242/mo, rent takes ~19% of Bismarck's median household income ($78,387/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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