Bismarck ND vs Fort Wayne IN — 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%
Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 84.8% | 66.4% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $60,293 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $32,884 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $58,697 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.5% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 15.6% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 28.5% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
62.2%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 62.2% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 370 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 40.7% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.8% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 18.4% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 10.6% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.8% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 50.5°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 38.3 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 22.8 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. 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, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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