Bismarck ND vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 84.8% | 36.1% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $60,698 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $37,669 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $65,080 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 8.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 22.0% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 34.6% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 52.3% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 319 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 57.1°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 48.5 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 34.5 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Bismarck, ND vs New York, NYBismarck, ND vs Los Angeles, CABismarck, ND vs Chicago, ILBismarck, ND vs Houston, TXBismarck, ND vs Phoenix, AZBismarck, ND vs San Antonio, TX