Bismarck ND vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Bismarck +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Portland
80.1%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Bismarck +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 68,505 | Bismarck + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 84.8% | 80.1% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 3.1% | Bismarck + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $76,174 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $61,587 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 11.3% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $561,069 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 46.7% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Portland
7.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.8% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 7.2% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 46.5°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 47.3 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 21.4 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, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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