Bismarck ND vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 84.8% | 60.1% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $42,371 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $59,120 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.7% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 16.2% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $468,328 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 41.6% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Tempe
18.3%
Tempe +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 16.6% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 10.7% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 18.3% | Tempe + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 71.3°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 23.2 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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