Bismarck ND vs Eugene OR — 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%
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Eugene
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Eugene
6.8%
Eugene +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Eugene
78.9%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Eugene
1.8%
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Eugene
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 177,520 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.4 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 6.8% | Eugene + |
| White | 84.8% | 78.9% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 1.8% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 11.4% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Eugene
$63,836
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Eugene
$41,035
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Eugene
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Eugene
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Eugene
18.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $63,836 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $41,035 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $63,691 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 7.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 18.2% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 44.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Eugene
$478,489
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Eugene
47.6%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $478,489 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 47.6% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Eugene
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Eugene
3001
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 355 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 3001 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Eugene
9.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Eugene
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Eugene
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 34.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 19.9% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 8.3% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.1% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Eugene
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Eugene
46.1 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 52.5°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 46.1 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Eugene
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Eugene
19.9 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 19.9 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, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. 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, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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