Bismarck ND vs Carrollton TX — 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%
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Carrollton
132,741
Carrollton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Carrollton
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Carrollton
38.4
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Carrollton
52.1%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Carrollton
9.2%
Carrollton +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Carrollton
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 132,741 | Carrollton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.4 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 26.9% | Carrollton + |
| White | 84.8% | 52.1% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 9.2% | Carrollton + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 16.4% | Carrollton + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 31.8% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Carrollton
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Carrollton
43.3%
Carrollton +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $99,115 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $50,000 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $63,758 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.2% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 6.9% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 43.3% | Carrollton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Carrollton
$408,531
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Carrollton
58.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $408,531 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 58.3% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Carrollton
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Carrollton
2339
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 442 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2339 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Carrollton
32.2%
Carrollton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Carrollton
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Carrollton
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Carrollton
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Carrollton
16.9%
Carrollton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 32.2% | Carrollton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.8% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 15.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 14.8% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.9% | Carrollton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.8% | Carrollton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Carrollton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Carrollton
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Carrollton, TX | 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
Bismarck +
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Carrollton
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Carrollton
26.2 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 26.2 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, 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 442 in Carrollton. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carrollton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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