Bismarck ND vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Orem
86,973
Orem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Orem
77.1%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Orem
1.6%
Orem +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 86,973 | Orem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 84.8% | 77.1% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 1.9% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 1.6% | Orem + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Orem
4.0%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $70,053 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $33,579 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $60,713 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.0% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 12.7% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 25.6% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Orem
60.9%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $509,396 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 60.9% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.1% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 11.5% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 52.5°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 24.5 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while bismarck offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $373,227. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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