Bismarck ND vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Stamford
38.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 84.8% | 49.1% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $708,498 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 47.5% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Stamford
14.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 14.4% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 12.3% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 52.3°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 53.2 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 30.1 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while bismarck offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $373,227. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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