Bismarck ND vs Buffalo NY — 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%
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Buffalo
45.4%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 10.5% | Buffalo + |
| White | 84.8% | 45.4% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 32.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $48,050 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $30,995 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 7.2% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 27.4% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 30.3% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 42.7% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Buffalo
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 434 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1736 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Buffalo
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 38.4% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 19.1% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 9.4% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.3% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.5% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Buffalo
48.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Buffalo
40.5 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 48.3°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 40.5 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Buffalo
21.6 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 21.6 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
Compare More Cities
Bismarck, ND vs New York, NYBismarck, ND vs Los Angeles, CABismarck, ND vs Chicago, ILBismarck, ND vs Houston, TXBismarck, ND vs Phoenix, AZBismarck, ND vs Philadelphia, PA