Bismarck ND vs Bridgeport CT — 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%
Bridgeport, CT
Connecticut · Population: 148,012
- Median HH Income$56,584
- Median Home Price$361,669
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+23.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Bridgeport
34.8%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 148,012 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.4 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 32.9% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 84.8% | 34.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 22.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 5.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 44.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Bridgeport
$56,584
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Bridgeport
$30,658
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Bridgeport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Bridgeport
23.1%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $56,584 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $30,658 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $85,393 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 8.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 22.5% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 23.1% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Bridgeport
43.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $361,669 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 43.3% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 156 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1524 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Bridgeport
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Bridgeport
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Bridgeport
21.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Bridgeport
14.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 33.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.0% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 18.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 21.4% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 14.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.3% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bridgeport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Bridgeport, CT | 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
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bridgeport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Bridgeport
31.6 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 31.6 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while bridgeport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $361,669. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bridgeport scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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