Bismarck ND vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Scottsdale
81.8%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 49.2 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 84.8% | 81.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 2.0% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $59,120 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $858,307 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 450 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2150 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 72.5°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 23.2 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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