Bismarck ND vs Fayetteville AR — 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%
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
75.6%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 97,227 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 5.7% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 84.8% | 75.6% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 5.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 7.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
$37,885
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $59,074 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $37,885 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $53,714 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 21.4% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $380,101 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 41.9% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 660 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2507 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 20.8% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 10.5% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 58.2°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 45.5 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Fayetteville
19.9 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fayetteville, AR | 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 660 in Fayetteville. 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, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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