Bismarck ND vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 84.8% | 53.7% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $77,041 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $40,309 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $59,120 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.1% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 14.3% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 32.3% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $411,323 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 57.1% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 450 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2150 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.8% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 16.2% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 17.3% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.2% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 72.1°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 27.7 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, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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