Bismarck ND vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 84.8% | 39.1% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.5% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 14.5% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $580,173 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 41.1% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 398 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Washington
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Bismarck +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 14.6% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 6.7% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 24.0% | Bismarck + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Washington, DC | 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
Bismarck +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 32.8 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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