Bismarck ND vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 84.8% | 63.5% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $62,696 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.0% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 12.5% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 35.7% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $570,934 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 49.4% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 460 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2417 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.5% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 18.5% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 13.0% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 18.9% | Reno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.8% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 53.0°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 22.3 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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 Philadelphia, PA