Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Bismarck, ND

    Is Bismarck a good place to live?

    Watch Bismarck

    Bismarck ranks #4 of 7 North Dakota cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (42/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.6% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $291,400
    +2.7% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $992
    per month
    Household income
    $77,608
    median
    Unemployment
    3.6%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Bismarck

    The median home value in Bismarck is $291,400 and median rent is $992 a month, against a median household income of $77,608. Homes cost about 3.8× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Bismarck crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across North Dakota the 2025 rate was 240 violent and 1,495 property crimes per 100,000 people — #27 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Bismarck, ND

    Bismarck has about 74,146 residents, 3.6% unemployment and 27% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Bismarck with

    Bismarck vs FargoBismarck vs Grand ForksBismarck vs MinotBismarck vs West FargoBismarck vs WillistonBismarck vs Dickinson

    More: Where to move in North Dakota · Best counties in North Dakota

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report