Bismarck ND vs Los Angeles CA — 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%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.9 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 84.8% | 37.3% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 8.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 12.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 47.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Los Angeles
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Los Angeles
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Los Angeles
37.8%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $80,366 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $46,270 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 7.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 16.6% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 37.8% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $956,465 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 36.3% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Los Angeles
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Los Angeles
2388
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 503 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2388 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Los Angeles
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Los Angeles
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Los Angeles
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 27.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.4% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 13.2% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 62.6°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 12.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Los Angeles
33.8 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 33.8 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 503 in Los Angeles. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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