Bismarck ND vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 84.8% | 30.4% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 1.5% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.1% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $2,144,024 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 43.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 25.3 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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