Bismarck ND vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Lee's Summit
102,583
Lee's Summit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Lee's Summit +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Lee's Summit +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Lee's Summit +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 102,583 | Lee's Summit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.6 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 4.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| White | 84.8% | 78.7% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 10.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 1.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 5.3% | Lee's Summit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $58,527 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $313,200 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 501 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2418 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Lee's Summit
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Lee's Summit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.5% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 16.7% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 18.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | N/A | - |
| 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
Bismarck +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 26.9 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while lee's Summit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,200. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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