Bismarck ND vs New York NY — 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
New York
38.0
New York +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
New York
35.9%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.0 | New York + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 84.8% | 35.9% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 7.7% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 17.4% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $816,078 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 32.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 434 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
New York
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
New York
16.9%
New York +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 15.4% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 10.6% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.9% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 55.4°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 46.6 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 44.2 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
Compare More Cities
Bismarck, ND vs Los Angeles, CABismarck, ND vs Chicago, ILBismarck, ND vs Houston, TXBismarck, ND vs Phoenix, AZBismarck, ND vs Philadelphia, PABismarck, ND vs San Antonio, TX