Bismarck ND vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 84.8% | 54.1% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 2.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $55,176 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $30,804 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $53,141 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 7.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 22.0% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 37.3% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 55.6% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 834 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 3177 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 35.4% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.0% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 15.8% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 17.7% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.1% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 58.8°F | Bismarck + |
| 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
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Las Cruces
20.5 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 20.5 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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