Bismarck ND vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 84.8% | 51.9% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $45,845 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $27,570 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 7.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 29.6% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 30.5% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 41.3% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 434 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 41.5% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.7% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 20.8% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 9.7% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.1% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 49.0°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 41.5 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Syracuse
19.3 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 19.3 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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