Living in Bismarck, North Dakota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Bismarck · Census data 2020–2024
Bismarck has 75,556 residents with a median age of 38.9. The median household income is $78,387 (about the same as the North Dakota median), the median home value is $300,300, the median rent is $999/month.
Bismarck at a glance
- Population
- 75,556
- Median age
- 38.9State: 35.9
- Median household income
- $78,387State: $76,657
- Median home value
- $300,300State: $249,900
- Median rent
- $999/moState: $954
- Homeowners
- 65.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39.2%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is Bismarck a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income about the same as the North Dakota median; an average commute of 16 minutes; unemployment of 2.5%; a poverty rate of 9.3%.
Cons: Home values 20% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Bismarck
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Bismarck the median home value is $300,300, 10% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $999 per month, which is 24.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,847 a month in housing costs.
Bismarck median household income
The median household income in Bismarck is $78,387 and the income per person is $45,788. 9.3% of residents live below the poverty line (North Dakota: 10.8%).
Housing in Bismarck: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 35,361
- Owner-occupied
- 65.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 34.5%
- Vacant
- 6.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1985
- Average household size
- 2.21
Bismarck demographics
- Population
- 75,556
- Median age
- 38.9
- Under 18
- 21.5%
- 65 and older
- 19.5%
- Households
- 33,130
- Foreign-born
- 4%
- Veterans
- 7.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Bismarck ›
Education in Bismarck
39.2% of adults 25 and older in Bismarck have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Dakota: 32.7%), and 12.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Bismarck
- Unemployment rate
- 2.5%State: 2.8%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 18 min
- Work from home
- 7.6%
- Drive alone
- 80.2%
- Public transit
- 0.2%
- Walk to work
- 1.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 88%
Bismarck vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | 75,556 | $78,387 | $300,300 | $999 |
| Lincoln | 4,381 | $87,652 | $278,900 | $950 |
| Mandan | 24,522 | $71,780 | $259,800 | $1,083 |
| Apple Valley | 279 | $111,136 | $242,400 | — |
| Menoken | 102 | $116,250 | $244,600 | — |
| Harmon | 198 | $113,500 | $444,400 | — |
| Wilton | 607 | $80,000 | $215,900 | $838 |
| Solen | 105 | $33,750 | $41,700 | — |
| New Salem | 780 | $69,519 | $187,000 | $871 |
More for people moving to Bismarck
Bismarck ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Bismarck: FAQ
What is the median household income in Bismarck, ND?
The median household income in Bismarck is $78,387, about the same as the North Dakota median of $76,657 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Bismarck?
The median home value in Bismarck is $300,300, compared with $249,900 in North Dakota.
How much is rent in Bismarck?
The median gross rent in Bismarck is $999 per month, about 24.3% of household income.
Is Bismarck, ND a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income about the same as the North Dakota median; an average commute of 16 minutes; unemployment of 2.5%; a poverty rate of 9.3%. Minuses: home values 20% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Bismarck?
The median age in Bismarck is 38.9 years (North Dakota: 35.9).
How long is the commute in Bismarck?
The average commute to work in Bismarck is 16 minutes; 7.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Bismarck?
The unemployment rate in Bismarck is 2.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Bismarck?
39.2% of adults in Bismarck have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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