Bismarck ND vs Boise ID — 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%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Boise
38.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Boise
83.6%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 235,701 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 7.2% | Boise + |
| White | 84.8% | 83.6% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 1.4% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.4% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 9.5% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Boise
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Boise
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $81,308 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $48,274 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $57,074 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.8% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 10.6% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Boise
$504,894
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Boise
63.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $504,894 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 63.0% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Boise
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 49.9°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 18.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Boise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Boise
20.4 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 20.4 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while bismarck offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $373,227. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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