Bismarck ND vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 84.8% | 48.3% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 7.0% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $62,917 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $32,983 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $63,758 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.8% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 17.1% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 28.7% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 52.4% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 442 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2339 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.2% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.2% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 24.5% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 68.5°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 34.9 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 26.5 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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