Bismarck, ND vs McHenry County, ND
A 2-bedroom in McHenry County costs $175 less per month than Bismarck ($1,000 vs $1,175). Median income is $83,982 in Bismarck and $80,614 in McHenry County. That's a difference of $2,100 per year in housing costs.
Bismarck, North Dakota 2-bedroom FMR is $175 above McHenry County, North Dakota — a meaningful 18-percent premium. Differences of this size are usually structural rather than transient, reflecting permanent differences in housing supply, labor-market scale, or zoning.
For households weighing a move between the two counties, the FMR gap is one input among several. Cost-of-living adjustments cover housing well but undercount the income-side picture; local wages can offset rent differences, particularly in higher-paying coastal metros where the higher rent comes with higher pay.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Bismarck | McHenry County |
|---|---|---|
| Studio FMR | $961 | $725 |
| 1BR FMR | $1,030 | $839 |
| 2BR FMR | $1,175 | $1,000 |
| 3BR FMR | $1,634 | $1,387 |
| 4BR FMR | $1,884 | $1,678 |
| Median Income | $83,982 | $80,614 |
| Rent Burden | 16.8% | 14.9% |
| Actual Median Rent | $1,008 | $737 |
| Median Home Value | $295,500 | $143,200 |
| Population | 134K | 5.3K |
| Renter % | 27.3% | 19.7% |
| Vacancy Rate | 8.4% | 20% |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 9.8% |
| Unemployment | - | 4.3% |
| YoY Change | +23% | - |
| Min Wage | $7.25/hr | $7.25/hr |
Income Required to Afford a 2-Bedroom
Frequently Asked Questions
McHenry County, ND is more affordable with a 2BR FMR of $1,000/mo, which is $175 less than Bismarck at $1,175/mo. However, when considering local incomes, Bismarck has a rent burden of 16.8% vs 14.9% in McHenry County.
A 2-bedroom in Bismarck, ND costs $1,175/mo at Fair Market Rent, while in McHenry County, ND it's $1,000/mo, a difference of $175/mo or $2,100/year.
To afford a 2BR without spending more than 30% of income on rent: Bismarck requires $47,000/year ($23/hr). McHenry County requires $40,000/year ($19/hr).
Source: HUD Fair Market Rents, 2026.