Bismarck ND vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Mobile
37.7
Mobile +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Mobile
3.8%
Mobile +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Bismarck +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.7 | Mobile + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 3.8% | Mobile + |
| White | 84.8% | 39.9% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 3.1% | Bismarck + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $51,090 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $32,893 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $51,690 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 18.9% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 31.5% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 51.4% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 400 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Mobile
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Mobile
10.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 40.0% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 17.0% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 10.2% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.9% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 67.4°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 65.3 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 24.5 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Housing costs differ substantially: the median home in Bismarck costs $373,227, which is 89% more expensive than Mobile's median of $197,044. In Mobile, a median home costs 3.9× the annual household income, compared to 4.8× in Bismarck. On public safety, Bismarck is 28% safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in the other city. Economically, Bismarck has an edge with a lower unemployment rate of 3.6% and a higher median household income of $77,608. For quality of life, Bismarck has a lower obesity rate (35.2%). If affordable housing is a priority, Mobile presents a compelling case with home prices 47% below Bismarck. Use the detailed table above to weigh all 27 metrics based on what matters most to you.
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