Bismarck ND vs Murfreesboro TN — 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%
Murfreesboro, TN
Tennessee · Population: 40,828
- Median HH Income$107,847
- Median Home Price$427,410
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Bismarck +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 40,828 | Bismarck + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 39.1 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 84.8% | 78.3% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 7.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 7.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $59,097 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $427,410 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 639 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2350 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 37.3% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 20.4% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 11.0% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.0% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 58.3°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 53.4 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 33.8 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, 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 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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