Bismarck ND vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 41.6 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 84.8% | 75.0% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $39,604 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $59,120 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.2% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 31.0% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $422,520 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 450 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2150 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Surprise
14.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.2% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 14.2% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 10.5% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 32.8 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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