Bismarck ND vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 84.8% | 73.0% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $76,983 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $61,837 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 16.2% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $429,253 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 46.6% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 309 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Bismarck +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 16.5% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 7.9% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 20.8% | Bismarck + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 46.7°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 37.3 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Madison, WI | 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 +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 21.2 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 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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