Bismarck ND vs Boston MA — 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%
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Boston
47.8%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 663,972 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.2 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 27.5% | Boston + |
| White | 84.8% | 47.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 21.5% | Boston + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 10.0% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 18.9% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Boston
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Boston
16.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $94,755 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $60,001 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.0% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 16.9% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 54.1% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Boston
$793,154
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $793,154 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 35.4% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Boston
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 326 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Boston
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Bismarck +
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 23.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.6% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 18.0% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 6.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 20.7% | Bismarck + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.7% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Boston
51.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Boston
43.8 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 51.5°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 43.8 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Boston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 33.1 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, 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 326 in Boston. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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