Bismarck ND vs Garden Grove 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%
Garden Grove, CA
California · Population: 170,603
- Median HH Income$90,166
- Median Home Price$1,012,728
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Garden Grove
39.6
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Garden Grove
28.4%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Garden Grove
1.3%
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 170,603 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 39.6 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 45.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 84.8% | 28.4% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 1.3% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 41.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 37.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Garden Grove
$32,387
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Garden Grove
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Garden Grove
12.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Garden Grove
24.9%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $90,166 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $32,387 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.8% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 12.2% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 24.9% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Garden Grove
53.6%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $1,012,728 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 53.6% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Garden Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Garden Grove
2388
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Garden Grove, 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%
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Garden Grove
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Garden Grove
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Garden Grove
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 23.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.1% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 16.7% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 12.4% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 12.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.4% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Garden Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Garden Grove, 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
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Garden Grove
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Garden Grove
31.1 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 31.1 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, 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 Garden Grove. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Garden Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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