City Comparison
Bismarck vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bismarck scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bismarck
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bismarck is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bismarck's average rent is
18% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Bismarck | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,410 | -18% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $170 | $178 | -4% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,850 | $2,451 | -25% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bismarck is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Bismarck | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $76,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bismarck runs warmer on average — a 44.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bismarck comes out ahead with 279 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bismarck sees 24.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bismarck | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 3.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 279 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bismarck has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bismarck | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Bismarck.
From a growth perspective, Bismarck is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bismarck | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,131 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bismarck
Advantages
Median home prices remain more affordable than the national average per recent regional housing reports.
Unemployment rates consistently track well below the national average due to a stable government and healthcare base.
Exceptional public safety with violent and property crime rates remaining significantly below national norms.
Short average commute times of under 20 minutes enhance daily work-life balance.
Abundant outdoor recreation access along the Missouri River and extensive local park systems.
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather brings prolonged freezing temperatures and significant snowfall that can disrupt travel.
Geographic isolation limits proximity to major metropolitan hubs and entertainment centers.
Limited public transit infrastructure makes owning a personal vehicle virtually mandatory.
Heating and utility costs spike during harsh winter months.
Air travel options from Bismarck Municipal Airport can involve layovers and higher ticket prices.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bismarck
#65North Dakota, USA
69.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
279/yr
Avg Temp
44.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
78
Business
71
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Bismarck and Cincinnati.
Open Cost Calculator