Bismarck ND vs Sandy UT — 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, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Sandy
94,723
Sandy +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Sandy
81.8%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 94,723 | Sandy + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 84.8% | 81.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 0.8% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $60,713 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $672,082 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 16.5% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 8.7% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 24.6 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while bismarck offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $373,227. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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