Bismarck ND vs Burlington VT — 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%
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Bismarck +
Burlington
44,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Burlington
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Burlington
7.2%
Burlington +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Burlington
3.3%
Burlington +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Burlington
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 44,649 | Bismarck + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 26.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 7.2% | Burlington + |
| White | 84.8% | 85.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 2.5% | 3.7% | Burlington + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.7% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 3.3% | Burlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Burlington
$68,854
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Burlington
$39,027
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Burlington
$63,829
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Burlington
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Burlington
23.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $68,854 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $39,027 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $63,829 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 23.0% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 60.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Burlington
$510,361
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Burlington
39.8%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $510,361 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 39.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 224 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1714 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Burlington
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Burlington
6.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Burlington
19.1%
Burlington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 23.1% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 5.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 20.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 6.9% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 19.1% | Burlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.5% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Burlington
46.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Burlington
36.8 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 46.0°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 36.8 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Burlington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Burlington
20.6 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 20.6 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while bismarck offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $373,227. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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