Bismarck ND vs Bloomington MN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Bismarck, ND
North Dakota · Population: 74,146
- Median HH Income$77,608
- Median Home Price$373,227
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+38.7%
Bloomington, MN
Minnesota · Population: 71,261
- Median HH Income$103,382
- Median Home Price$366,438
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+36.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Bismarck +
Bloomington
71,261
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bloomington
37.3
Bloomington +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Bloomington
72.7%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Bloomington
5.1%
Bloomington +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 71,261 | Bismarck + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.3 | Bloomington + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 14.1% | Bloomington + |
| White | 84.8% | 72.7% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 8.6% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 9.5% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 5.1% | Bloomington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Bloomington
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Bloomington
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Bloomington
36.1%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $103,382 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $44,640 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $69,467 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.5% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 6.5% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 36.1% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $366,438 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 85.0% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 284 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1992 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Bloomington
14.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Bloomington
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 26.8% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.9% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 14.2% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 8.5% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.2% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.4% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bloomington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bloomington
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bloomington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Bloomington
27.0 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 27.0 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while bloomington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $366,438. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Bloomington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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