Bismarck ND vs Stockton 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%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 84.8% | 26.6% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $76,851 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $31,279 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 8.0% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 15.4% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 19.1% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $431,297 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 53.2% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Stockton, 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%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.5% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 18.1% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 15.0% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.8% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 62.2°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 33.2 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, 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 Stockton. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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