Bismarck ND vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 84.8% | 58.0% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $67,544 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $35,825 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 19.8% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 34.1% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $435,532 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 42.4% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 326 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 35.3% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 19.9% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 8.7% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.5% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 47.9°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 48.1 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 27.3 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, 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 326 in Worcester. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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