Bismarck ND vs Kennewick WA — 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%
Kennewick, WA
Washington · Population: 23,594
- Median HH Income$137,926
- Median Home Price$433,399
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+57.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Bismarck +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Kennewick
67.9%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Kennewick
3.1%
Kennewick +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 23,594 | Bismarck + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.7 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 84.8% | 67.9% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 3.1% | Kennewick + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 10.7% | Kennewick + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Kennewick
$433,399
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $433,399 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Kennewick
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 383 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 3409 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Kennewick
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Kennewick
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 37.4% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.4% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 13.1% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.7% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Kennewick
54.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 54.7°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 32.4 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, 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 383 in Kennewick. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Kennewick has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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