Bismarck ND vs Cheyenne WY — 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%
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Bismarck +
Cheyenne
58,754
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Cheyenne
37.0
Cheyenne +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Cheyenne
2.1%
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Cheyenne
0.6%
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Bismarck +
Cheyenne
0.5%
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Cheyenne
8.9%
Cheyenne +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 58,754 | Bismarck + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.0 | Cheyenne + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 2.1% | Bismarck + |
| White | 84.8% | 89.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 2.5% | 0.6% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 0.5% | Bismarck + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 8.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Cheyenne
$69,171
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Cheyenne
$41,460
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Cheyenne
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Cheyenne
11.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Cheyenne
30.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $69,171 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $41,460 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,800 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 11.2% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 30.0% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Cheyenne
$388,590
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $388,590 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 70.3% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 222 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1522 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Cheyenne
33.9%
Cheyenne +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Cheyenne
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Cheyenne
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Cheyenne
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Cheyenne
13.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 33.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 16.2% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 12.4% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 14.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.3% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 46.3°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 16.3 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Cheyenne
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Cheyenne
17.8 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 17.8 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, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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