Bismarck ND vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 84.8% | 53.2% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 9.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Saint Paul
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $73,055 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $41,594 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $69,467 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 15.8% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 53.2% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 24.1 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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