Bismarck ND vs Columbia SC — 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, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Columbia
5.1%
Columbia +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 138,019 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 5.1% | Columbia + |
| White | 84.8% | 49.9% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 2.7% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 5.7% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Columbia
$38,087
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $55,653 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $38,087 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $54,550 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 7.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 23.3% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 47.3% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Columbia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 398 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1999 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Columbia
13.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.1% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 19.2% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 13.2% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.7% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 66.7°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
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Columbia
18.6 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 18.6 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 $229,993. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
Compare More Cities
Bismarck, ND vs New York, NYBismarck, ND vs Los Angeles, CABismarck, ND vs Chicago, ILBismarck, ND vs Houston, TXBismarck, ND vs Phoenix, AZBismarck, ND vs Philadelphia, PA