Athens GA vs Bismarck ND — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Bismarck, ND
North Dakota · Population: 74,146
- Median HH Income$77,608
- Median Home Price$373,227
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+38.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Bismarck
74,146
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Bismarck
38.2
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Bismarck
3.6%
White
Athens
57.6%
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Bismarck
2.5%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Bismarck
1.0%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Bismarck
3.2%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 74,146 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 3.6% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 84.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 26.2% | 2.5% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.0% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 3.2% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Bismarck
38.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $77,608 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $44,475 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $71,089 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 9.7% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 38.7% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Bismarck
$373,227
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $373,227 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 65.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Bismarck
2037
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 288 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2037 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bismarck
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bismarck
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Bismarck
13.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bismarck
6.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bismarck
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bismarck
12.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 42.4°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 19.6 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 16.7 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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