Bismarck ND vs Cleveland OH — 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%
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Cleveland
36.7%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 367,523 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.3 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 6.1% | Cleveland + |
| White | 84.8% | 36.7% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 46.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 2.3% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 12.8% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Cleveland
$39,187
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Cleveland
$27,078
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Cleveland
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Cleveland
11.5%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Cleveland
30.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Cleveland
21.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $39,187 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $27,078 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $58,300 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 11.5% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 30.8% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 21.3% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Cleveland
41.2%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $117,703 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 41.2% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Cleveland
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 319 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1866 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Cleveland
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Cleveland
17.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Cleveland
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Cleveland
13.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Cleveland
21.5%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 42.2% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 17.7% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 19.6% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 13.4% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.2% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 21.5% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Cleveland
52.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Cleveland
36.4 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 52.7°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 36.4 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Cleveland
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Cleveland
24.3 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 24.3 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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