Bismarck ND vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 135,887 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 84.8% | 24.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 17.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 1.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Elizabeth
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $63,874 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $28,490 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 15.3% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 14.2% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $531,592 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 25.4% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.7% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.8% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 28.1% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.0% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 29.3 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while bismarck offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $373,227. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. 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, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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