Bismarck ND vs Carmel IN — 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%
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Carmel
77.5%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Carmel
5.0%
Carmel +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 100,501 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 40.5 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 12.9% | Carmel + |
| White | 84.8% | 77.5% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 5.0% | Carmel + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Carmel
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $58,697 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $570,592 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Carmel
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 370 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1719 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Carmel
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 30.8% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Carmel
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 51.6°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 42.2 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Carmel
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Carmel
26.4 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 26.4 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, 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 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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