Bismarck ND vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Topeka
38.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 84.8% | 71.0% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $55,902 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $33,290 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $61,860 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 15.6% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 29.1% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 59.2% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 449 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2174 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 39.7% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.1% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 16.8% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 11.4% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.9% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 54.5°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 39.0 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Topeka
18.3 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 18.3 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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