Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Bellevue +
Bismarck
74,146
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Bismarck
3.6%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Bismarck
1.0%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Bellevue +
Bismarck
3.2%
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 74,146 | Bellevue + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 38.2 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 3.6% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 84.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.2% | 2.5% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 1.0% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 3.2% | Bellevue + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Bismarck
$77,608
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Bismarck
$44,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Bismarck
$71,089
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Bismarck
9.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Bismarck
38.7%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $77,608 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $44,475 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $71,089 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 3.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 9.7% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 38.7% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $373,227 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 65.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 288 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2037 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Bismarck
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Bismarck
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Bismarck
13.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Bismarck
6.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Bismarck
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Bismarck
12.0%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 35.2% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 9.4% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 13.3% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 6.6% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.4% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 12.0% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Bismarck
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Bismarck
19.6 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 42.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 19.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Bismarck
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 16.7 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while bismarck offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $373,227. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellevue. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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