Bismarck ND vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Bismarck +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 41.5 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 84.8% | 78.9% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 2.4% | Bismarck + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $37,315 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $58,052 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.2% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 10.6% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 31.2% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 471 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 36.0% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.2% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 6.7% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.3% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 27.5 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. 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, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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