Bismarck ND vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Plymouth
79,526
Plymouth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Plymouth
74.8%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Plymouth
5.0%
Plymouth +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Plymouth
4.7%
Plymouth +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 79,526 | Plymouth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 40.7 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 84.8% | 74.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 5.0% | Plymouth + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 4.7% | Plymouth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Plymouth
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $69,467 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $514,358 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Plymouth
18.5%
Plymouth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 18.5% | Plymouth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 24.5 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while bismarck offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $373,227. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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