Bismarck ND vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Wichita Falls
102,558
Wichita Falls +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 102,558 | Wichita Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 84.8% | 70.1% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $58,568 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $31,987 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $63,758 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 17.4% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 25.0% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 57.0% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 442 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2339 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Wichita Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 35.4% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 18.8% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 16.9% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.9% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 63.4°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 28.9 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
Compare More Cities
Bismarck, ND vs New York, NYBismarck, ND vs Los Angeles, CABismarck, ND vs Chicago, ILBismarck, ND vs Houston, TXBismarck, ND vs Phoenix, AZBismarck, ND vs Philadelphia, PA