Bismarck ND vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 109,735 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 42.5 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 84.8% | 40.6% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $63,758 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.5% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $449,058 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 442 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2339 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.2% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 8.5% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 71.3°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 50.4 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 31.6 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, 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 442 in Sugar Land. 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, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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