Bismarck ND vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Manchester
76.7%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 115,415 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.9 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 84.8% | 76.7% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 5.3% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Manchester
$77,415
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Manchester
$44,220
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Manchester
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Manchester
10.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $77,415 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $44,220 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.8% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 10.7% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 33.5% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $441,257 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 49.3% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Manchester
9.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.4% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 9.9% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.9% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 49.2°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 44.6 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 25.7 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, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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