Bismarck ND vs Sandy Springs GA — 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%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 107,198 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 84.8% | 59.3% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $57,405 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.8% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $694,123 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 50.7% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 392 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Sandy Springs
13.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Sandy Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 13.8% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 8.9% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sandy Springs, GA | 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
Bismarck +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 27.9 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, 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 392 in Sandy Springs. 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, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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