Bismarck 78 Exceptional
Bismarck Livability #5 ranked city in North Dakota#2,352 ranked city in the USARanks better than 91% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Bismarck

PROS
  • Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

  • Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

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What's it like Living in Bismarck?

Bismarck, North Dakota is a mid-sized city with a population of 73,435 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Bismarck is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are American Indian and Alaskan and Black. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Bismarck offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Bismarck is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before moving to any new city in North Dakota, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in Bismarck and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, cost of living, commute, education, employment and other important metrics.

Bismarck, ND receives 77 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #9 in North Dakota and #2,398 in the USA. Based on this score, Bismarck would be considered a very livable city! Bismarck also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we take a closer look at each of the categories on their own, we see that Bismarck ranks well for cost of living (B+), education (B), employment (B+) and housing (A+).

The Bismarck unemployment rate of 1.91% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Bismarck has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Bismarck real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Bismarck. The median home price for Bismarck homes is $249,200, which is 52% higher than the North Dakota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Bismarck, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 32.1% higher than the North Dakota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Bismarck

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Compare Bismarck, ND Livability

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      Bismarck transportation information

      Statistic Bismarck North Dakota National
      Average one way commute17min17min26min
      Workers who drive to work84.9%80.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.2%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.5%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home4.3%4.9%4.6%
      Source: The Bismarck, ND data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).