Bismarck ND vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Meridian
4.8%
Meridian +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Meridian
84.3%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 4.8% | Meridian + |
| White | 84.8% | 84.3% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 1.6% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $57,074 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $534,732 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 15.5% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 8.2% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Meridian, ID | 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
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 23.6 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while bismarck offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $373,227. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
Compare More Cities
Bismarck, ND vs New York, NYBismarck, ND vs Los Angeles, CABismarck, ND vs Chicago, ILBismarck, ND vs Houston, TXBismarck, ND vs Phoenix, AZBismarck, ND vs Philadelphia, PA