Bismarck ND vs Nashua 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%
Nashua, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 91,131
- Median HH Income$92,457
- Median Home Price$507,692
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Nashua
91,131
Nashua +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Nashua
75.1%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Nashua
2.6%
Nashua +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 91,131 | Nashua + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 39.7 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 84.8% | 75.1% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 2.6% | Nashua + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Nashua
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.8% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Nashua
56.4%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $507,692 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 56.4% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Nashua
9.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Nashua
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 15.5% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 8.8% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Nashua
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 47.7°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 48.0 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 27.6 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while bismarck offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $373,227. On public safety, Nashua 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 Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Nashua scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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