Bismarck ND vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 84.8% | 57.5% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $52,671 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $34,792 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $69,581 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.5% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 19.7% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 28.9% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 51.7% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 41.9% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 18.4% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 11.0% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.7% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 56.0°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 44.5 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 21.6 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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