Bismarck ND vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Lincoln
80.9%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 84.8% | 80.9% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $69,991 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $39,187 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $66,354 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 12.6% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 55.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Lincoln
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 294 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Lincoln
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Bismarck +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.5% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 15.2% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 9.6% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 20.6% | Bismarck + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.5% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 51.6°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 29.0 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Lincoln
20.0 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 20.0 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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