Bismarck ND vs Columbus 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Columbus
53.3%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 84.8% | 53.3% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 7.9% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Columbus
$65,327
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Columbus
$37,189
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Columbus
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Columbus
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Columbus
17.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Columbus
38.2%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $65,327 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $37,189 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $58,300 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.1% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 17.8% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 38.2% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $248,749 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 44.3% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Columbus
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 319 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1866 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Columbus
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Columbus
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Columbus
15.2%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 34.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.8% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 19.8% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 9.7% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 18.1% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.2% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Columbus
40.2 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 40.2 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbus, 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 +
Columbus
23.4 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 23.4 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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