Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Bismarck
74,146
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Bismarck
38.2
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Bismarck
3.6%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Bismarck
2.5%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Bismarck
1.0%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Bismarck
3.2%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 74,146 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.2 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 3.6% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 84.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 60.0% | 2.5% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.0% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 3.2% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $77,608 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $44,475 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $71,089 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 3.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 9.7% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 38.7% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Bismarck
$373,227
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $373,227 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 65.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Bismarck
2037
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 288 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2037 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Bismarck
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 35.2% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 13.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.6% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 20.4% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.0% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 42.4°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 19.6 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Bismarck
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 16.7 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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