Bismarck ND vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 84.8% | 63.5% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 2.2% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $41,869 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 32.2% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $505,085 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 512 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 3234 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.0% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 15.2% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.6% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 32.8 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, 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 512 in Thornton. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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