Median Age
40 Years
Largest Age Group
35-44 Years
Approximately 14% of Residents
Under 20
24%
Over 65
21%
Bismarck
Bismarck, ND Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,120
Population
75,942
Renter Mix
37% Rent
North Dakota’s historical hub awaits on the Missouri River
Culture
•
History
•
Shopping
•
Entertainment
•
Parks
•
Golf
•
Situated along the Missouri River, Bismarck combines outdoor recreation with city amenities. The state capital features over 2,300 acres of public parkland, including Sertoma Park's three-mile stretch along the riverbank. The city maintains an extensive network of walking and biking trails, and the Dakota Zoo offers year-round activities. Downtown Bismarck houses local shops and restaurants, alongside the Belle Mehus Auditorium, home to the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra. The Art Deco State Capitol building, North Dakota's tallest structure at 241.75 feet, serves as the city's defining landmark.
The rental market in Bismarck shows average rents of $846 for studios, $1,022 for one-bedrooms, and $1,163 for two-bedroom units. Year-over-year increases range from 4.9% to 6.8% for most unit types. Housing options span from downtown apartments near the Capitol complex to residential communities in the expanding northern section. The presence of the University of Mary and Bismarck State College adds to the area's rental demand, while Sanford Health and CHI St. Alexius Medical Center represent major employers in the healthcare sector. With a median household income of $71,917, Bismarck maintains competitive living costs compared to other state capitals. Notable areas include the Cathedral District, distinguished by its American elms and historic homes from the 1880s, and the developing south side along the Missouri River floodplain, which has expanded since the Garrison Dam's construction.
Explore the City
The Dakota Stage Playhouse is a historic theater in downtown Bismarck.
North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum has an impressive natural history collection.
Bismarck Art Alley displays murals spanning a city block.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$65,799
Average: $85,179
Education
23,454
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
40,373
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Bismarck has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
37%
Non-Renters
63%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
26%
Other Education
74%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Bismarck, ND is $947 for a studio, $1,119 for one bedroom, $1,258 for two bedrooms, and $1,679 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Bismarck has increased by 3.7% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,119/month
709 Sq Ft
House
$1,838/month
1,256 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,322/month
1,260 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Bismarck, ND is 13.2% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Bismarck is 30.4% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $947 - $1,679. You can expect to pay 1.3% more for groceries, 17.1% less for utilities, and 4.9% less for transportation.
Compare Cities
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Bismarck, ND is for everyday living.
Moderately Walkable
Walkability
60
/ 100
Very Drivable
Drivability
80
/ 100
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
60
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
68 Students
Public
Grades K-5
382 Students
Dorothy Moses Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
371 Students
Public
Grades K-5
425 Students
Public
Grades K-5
207 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,044 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,000 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,040 Students
Public
Grades K-8
89 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
32 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,427 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,418 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,333 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
Public
Grades K-12
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Dakota Prairie Grasslands
- Gateway to Science
- Dakota Zoo
- Ft. Abraham Lincoln State Park
Airports
- Bismarck Municipal
Colleges
Top Apartments in Bismarck
Houses for Rent in Bismarck
Property Management Companies in Bismarck, ND
Investors Management and Marketing
-
51
Communities
-
5,704
Units
-
9
Cities
8 Communities in Bismarck
Dakota Real Estate Investment Trust
-
20
Communities
-
2,198
Units
-
4
Cities
7 Communities in Bismarck
Centerspace
-
46
Communities
-
9,556
Units
-
25
Cities
4 Communities in Bismarck
Buchholz Properties
-
10
Communities
-
1,012
Units
-
7
Cities
2 Communities in Bismarck
PRE/3
-
185
Communities
-
14,247
Units
-
119
Cities
1 Community in Bismarck
Arrow Capital
-
13
Communities
-
593
Units
-
13
Cities
1 Community in Bismarck
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Nearby House Rentals
Nearby City Guides
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.