Bismarck ND vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.6 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 84.8% | 70.1% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $63,691 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.5% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 12.8% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $538,687 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 52.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 355 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 3001 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Portland
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 18.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 7.1% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 51.6°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 78.3 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 26.5 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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