Bismarck ND vs Rochester 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Bismarck +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Rochester
82.9%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Rochester
3.9%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 26,509 | Bismarck + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.7 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 84.8% | 82.9% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 3.9% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $69,467 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Rochester
14.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Rochester
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 36.4% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 14.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 7.1% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 34.0 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 28.3 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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