Bismarck ND vs Jacksonville 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.4 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 84.8% | 51.2% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Jacksonville
$66,981
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Jacksonville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Jacksonville
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Jacksonville
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $66,981 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $37,269 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $65,328 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 15.0% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 31.9% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 57.4% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Jacksonville
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 324 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.2% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 18.8% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 13.9% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.8% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 70.2°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 50.0 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 26.0 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Jacksonville. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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