City Comparison
Rugby vs Bismarck
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bismarck scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rugby
Bismarck
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rugby is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Bismarck.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rugby's average rent is
36% lower than Bismarck's.
| Metric | Rugby | Bismarck | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $740 | $1,150 | -36% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $185 | $170 | +9% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,635 | $1,850 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bismarck offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bismarck delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Rugby is estimated at
$42,000 vs $52,000 in Bismarck.
| Metric | Rugby | Bismarck |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,365 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,233 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $50,365 | $76,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Bismarck sees 1.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Rugby | Bismarck |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 41.20°F | 44.70°F |
| Summer High | 75.30°F | 78.30°F |
| Winter Low | -2.90°F | 3.90°F |
| Rainfall | 20.60 in | 29.60 in |
| Snowfall | 22.70 in | 24.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | 279 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rugby has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Bismarck.
For walkability, Rugby leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rugby | Bismarck |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bismarck is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Bismarck is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rugby | Bismarck |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,481 | 74,131 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rugby
Advantages
Median home values in Rugby remain exceptionally affordable compared to the national average per U.S. Census data.
Crime rates are significantly lower than national averages, offering a very safe environment for families.
Heart of America Medical Center provides robust local healthcare services and long-term care.
Short average commute times of around 11 minutes eliminate daily traffic stress.
Strong community support and active local economic development programs foster a welcoming business atmosphere.
Drawbacks
Harsh winter weather conditions feature sub-zero temperatures requiring substantial heating costs.
Limited public transit infrastructure creates high car dependency for daily needs.
Modest population decline over recent years presents challenges for local labor market expansion.
Narrower selection of retail shopping and entertainment options within city limits.
Lower median household income levels relative to state and national benchmarks.
Bismarck
Advantages
Median home prices remain more affordable than the national average per recent regional housing reports.
Unemployment rates consistently track well below the national average due to a stable government and healthcare base.
Exceptional public safety with violent and property crime rates remaining significantly below national norms.
Short average commute times of under 20 minutes enhance daily work-life balance.
Abundant outdoor recreation access along the Missouri River and extensive local park systems.
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather brings prolonged freezing temperatures and significant snowfall that can disrupt travel.
Geographic isolation limits proximity to major metropolitan hubs and entertainment centers.
Limited public transit infrastructure makes owning a personal vehicle virtually mandatory.
Heating and utility costs spike during harsh winter months.
Air travel options from Bismarck Municipal Airport can involve layovers and higher ticket prices.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Rugby
#180North Dakota, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$740
Avg Salary
$50,365
Cost Index
88
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
286/yr
Avg Temp
41.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
73
Business
65
Bismarck
#65North Dakota, USA
69.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
279/yr
Avg Temp
44.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
78
Business
71
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