City Comparison
Horace vs Bismarck
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Horace scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Horace
Bismarck
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bismarck is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Horace.
Housing costs are a major driver: Horace's average rent is
26% higher than Bismarck's.
| Metric | Horace | Bismarck | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,150 | +26% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,415 | $1,850 | +31% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Horace offers 22% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Horace delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Horace is estimated at
$58,000 vs $52,000 in Bismarck.
| Metric | Horace | Bismarck |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 79,592 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $76,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Horace sees 6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Horace | Bismarck |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.60°F | 44.70°F |
| Summer High | 79.30°F | 78.30°F |
| Winter Low | 1.30°F | 3.90°F |
| Rainfall | 29.90 in | 29.60 in |
| Snowfall | 30.30 in | 24.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 272 | 279 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bismarck has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Horace.
Bismarck scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bismarck leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Horace | Bismarck |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bismarck is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Horace is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Horace | Bismarck |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,433 | 74,131 |
| Pop. Growth | 8.50% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Horace
Advantages
Rapid population and community growth with modern, newly constructed housing developments.
Exceptionally low crime rates and a secure environment ideal for raising families.
Direct proximity to Fargo's major employers, healthcare systems, and cultural amenities.
High median household incomes well above the national and state averages.
Active local park district and family-oriented community programming.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options within city limits.
Severe winter weather conditions with prolonged sub-zero temperatures and snowfall.
Limited local commercial and entertainment options directly within Horace proper.
Rising housing and property values driven by rapid suburban expansion.
Flat regional geography with limited natural topographic diversity.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Horace
#5North Dakota, USA
77.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
272/yr
Avg Temp
44.60°F
Pop. Growth
8.50%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
82
Business
70
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
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