Bismarck ND vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Columbia
74.3%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Columbia
4.3%
Columbia +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 127,200 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 8.1% | Columbia + |
| White | 84.8% | 74.3% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 4.3% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Columbia
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $64,488 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $37,359 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $58,527 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 20.0% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 49.4% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 501 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2418 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Columbia
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Columbia
18.5%
Columbia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 19.1% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 8.4% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 18.5% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.4% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 56.0°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 46.3 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Columbia
18.2 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 18.2 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. 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, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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