Bismarck, ND vs Council Bluffs, IA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Bismarck
72.8
#819 nationally
Council Bluffs
76.6
#329 nationally
Bismarck leads in crime level (7.6 vs 11.5). Bismarck leads in median household income ($76,014 vs $61,181). Bismarck leads in average commute (15.7 min vs 18.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Council Bluffs, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#819) | 76.6 (#329) |
| Population | 75,092 | 62,399 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $383,424 | $231,631 |
| Median Household Income | $76,014 | $61,181 |
| Average Commute | 15.7 min | 18.9 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 7.6 | 11.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 106 | 90 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+43.2 | R+20.0 |
C-
72.8 Score
Bismarck, ND
North Dakota community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$383,424
Population
75,092
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
35
Midwest
View Bismarck, ND →
C
76.6 Score
Council Bluffs, IA
Iowa community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$231,631
Population
62,399
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
37
Midwest
View Council Bluffs, IA →
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