Bismarck ND vs Fontana CA — 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%
Fontana, CA
California · Population: 56,358
- Median HH Income$111,797
- Median Home Price$641,894
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Bismarck +
Fontana
56,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Fontana
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Fontana
43.7
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Fontana
43.1%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Fontana
1.2%
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 56,358 | Bismarck + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 43.7 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 32.0% | Fontana + |
| White | 84.8% | 43.1% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 1.2% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 36.5% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 17.4% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Fontana
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $111,797 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $48,238 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.3% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 7.3% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 44.9% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Fontana
$641,894
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $641,894 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 66.1% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Fontana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Fontana
2388
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 503 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2388 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Fontana
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Fontana
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Fontana
16.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 33.2% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.6% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 16.3% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.1% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.4% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Fontana
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fontana, CA | 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
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Fontana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Fontana
28.1 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 28.1 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, 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 503 in Fontana. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Fontana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fontana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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