Bismarck ND vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 84.8% | 39.1% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
North Charleston
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $62,789 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $35,740 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $54,550 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.3% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 15.5% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 28.0% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 48.5% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 398 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
North Charleston
35.2%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
North Charleston
19.8%
North Charleston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 35.2% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.2% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.5% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 15.3% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 19.8% | North Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.3% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | North Charleston, SC | 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
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 26.8 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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