Bismarck ND vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Lakewood
76.0%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.0 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 84.8% | 76.0% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 1.4% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.5% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $575,076 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 58.1% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 512 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 3234 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Lakewood
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Lakewood
19.7%
Lakewood +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 15.8% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 10.6% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 19.7% | Lakewood + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 51.4°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 28.6 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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