Bismarck ND vs Oceanside CA — 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%
Oceanside, CA
California · Population: 172,542
- Median HH Income$93,724
- Median Home Price$877,452
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Oceanside
38.1
Oceanside +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Oceanside
52.9%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Oceanside
4.2%
Oceanside +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 172,542 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.1 | Oceanside + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 20.9% | Oceanside + |
| White | 84.8% | 52.9% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 4.2% | Oceanside + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 7.4% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 38.5% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Oceanside
$43,094
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Oceanside
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Oceanside
34.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $43,094 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 34.3% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Oceanside
58.5%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $877,452 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 58.5% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Oceanside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Oceanside
2388
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 503 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2388 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Oceanside
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Oceanside
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Oceanside
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Oceanside
16.5%
Oceanside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 26.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 16.9% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 9.7% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.5% | Oceanside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Oceanside
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Oceanside
20.7 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 55.3°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 20.7 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 31.8 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, 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 503 in Oceanside. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Oceanside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
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