2009-0521-ND-StateCapitol (cropped) · Bobak Ha'Eri / CC BY 3.0North Dakota State Library · Carrie Scarr / CC BY-SA 3.0Burleigh County Courthouse · Jim Roberts / CC BY-SA 4.0Webb Brothers Block · Jim Roberts / CC BY-SA 4.0
Bismarck is a mid-sized city of 73,694 in North Dakota, with a median household income of $76,014
and a 3.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Bismarck stands out for an affordable cost of living, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B+), a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Bismarck is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Bismarck city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 89.6
Bismarck's overall cost of living index is 89.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Bismarck costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Bismarck, ND
National Avg
Median Home Value
$283,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$969
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
65.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$76,014
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Bismarck's violent crime rate is 278.0 per 100,000 residents
— 27% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
278.0 /100k
Property Crime
2399.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Bismarck is served primarily by BISMARCK 1.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Bismarck, ND
National Avg
School District
BISMARCK 1
—
Elementary Schools
19
—
Middle Schools
4
—
High Schools
5
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
37.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
94.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Bismarck sees average highs of 22.1°F in January
and 81.5°F in July,
with 20.0 inches of annual precipitation
and 50.5 inches of snow per year.
Bismarck's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Bismarck roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $283,800 and median rent is $969/month.
Bismarck's violent crime rate is 278.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2399.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Bismarck are operated by BISMARCK 1.
The district has 19 elementary, 4 middle, and 5 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.5:1. 37.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Bismarck, ND has a population of 73,694, a median household income of $76,014, and an unemployment rate of 3.1%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Bismarck averages 22.1°F in January and 81.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 20.0 inches
with about 50.5 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Bismarck, ND is covered by 4 ZIP codes: 58504, 58503, 58501, 58505.
The population of Bismarck, North Dakota is 73,694 with a median age of 38.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Bismarck: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $283,800, median household income $76,014, crime index 90 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Bismarck side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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