Bismarck ND vs Gainesville FL — 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Gainesville
59.2%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 84.8% | 59.2% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Gainesville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Gainesville
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $45,611 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $30,282 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $65,328 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.8% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 28.0% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 38.5% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Gainesville
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 324 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 21.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 13.9% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.8% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 68.9°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 47.3 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Gainesville
20.1 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 20.1 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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