Bismarck ND vs Lynn MA — 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%
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Lynn
100,905
Lynn +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Lynn
36.8
Lynn +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 100,905 | Lynn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.8 | Lynn + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 84.8% | 44.6% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 12.1% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Lynn
$74,715
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Lynn
$35,083
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Lynn
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Lynn
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $74,715 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $35,083 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 13.7% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 23.3% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Lynn
50.4%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $584,482 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 50.4% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Lynn
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 326 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Lynn
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Lynn
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Lynn
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Lynn
14.6%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.3% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.6% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 11.8% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.6% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lynn, MA | 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
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 33.8 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, 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 326 in Lynn. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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