Bismarck ND vs West Covina CA — 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%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
West Covina
107,436
West Covina +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
West Covina
4.1%
West Covina +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 107,436 | West Covina + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 40.1 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 84.8% | 20.0% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 4.1% | West Covina + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
West Covina
9.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $38,100 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.2% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 9.7% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 29.8% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
West Covina
60.8%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $851,613 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 60.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 503 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2388 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
West Covina
14.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.8% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 14.7% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 11.4% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | West Covina, CA | 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
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 36.1 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, 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 503 in West Covina. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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