Bismarck ND vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 84.8% | 59.4% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.3% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 12.0% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 33.5% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $496,966 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 56.5% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 383 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 3409 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 37.3% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 18.7% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 9.3% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 53.5°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 39.2 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 31.1 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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