Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Bismarck
74,146
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Bismarck
38.2
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Bismarck
3.6%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Bismarck
2.5%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Bismarck
1.0%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Bismarck
3.2%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 74,146 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 38.2 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 3.6% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 84.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 7.4% | 2.5% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 1.0% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 3.2% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Bismarck
$77,608
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Bismarck
$44,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Bismarck
$71,089
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Bismarck
38.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $77,608 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $44,475 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $71,089 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 9.7% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 38.7% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $373,227 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 65.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 288 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2037 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Bismarck
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Bismarck
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Bismarck
6.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Bismarck
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Bismarck
12.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 35.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 13.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 6.6% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.4% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 42.4°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 19.6 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Bismarck
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 16.7 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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