Bismarck ND vs Santa Rosa 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%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 84.8% | 31.9% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 2.1% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $720,443 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 41.2% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Santa Rosa, 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%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 16.7% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 10.4% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 59.2°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 32.2 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 25.2 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Santa Rosa. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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