Bismarck ND vs Great Falls MT — 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%
Great Falls, MT
Montana · Population: 60,412
- Median HH Income$63,934
- Median Home Price$337,690
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+28.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Bismarck +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Great Falls
84.8%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Bismarck +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Great Falls
4.9%
Great Falls +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 60,412 | Bismarck + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 39.3 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 1.7% | Bismarck + |
| White | 84.8% | 84.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 1.2% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 1.0% | Bismarck + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 4.9% | Great Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $63,934 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $35,968 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $62,117 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 14.0% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 28.3% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 433 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Great Falls
19.6%
Great Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 35.8% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.7% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 19.2% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 10.0% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 19.6% | Great Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.0% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Great Falls
46.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 46.9°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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