Bismarck ND vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 84.8% | 36.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Sacramento
$42,300
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Sacramento
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $42,300 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.2% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 14.4% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 36.4% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $480,548 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 51.5% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 503 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2388 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.2% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.9% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 10.0% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 61.0°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 27.0 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 503 in Sacramento. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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