Bismarck ND vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Denver
62.9%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 84.8% | 62.9% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Denver
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Denver
11.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 11.2% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $541,899 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 49.1% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 512 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 3234 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Denver
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Bismarck +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 15.5% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 13.3% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 25.9% | Bismarck + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 27.4 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while bismarck offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $373,227. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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