Signals
Bismarck
Garden City
Growth
61 · Top 32%
vs67 · Top 24%
Climate
50 · Bottom 3%
vs60 · Bottom 25%
Physical resilience
52 · Bottom 46%
vs35 · Bottom 24%
Housing affordability
93 · Bottom 46%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
0 · Bottom 1%
vs0 · Bottom 1%
Economic stability
91 · Top 3%
vs82 · Top 11%
Measured values
| Metric | Bismarck | Garden City | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,216 | 38,084 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $85,156 | $73,009 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $45,991 | $32,062 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 32/sq mi | 29/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $306,400 | $201,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,021 | $1,048 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 72.2% | 64.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.3% | 19.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 7.9% | 11.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 399 | 150 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.9 | 3.9 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -2.7% | 476.9% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 85°F | 92°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 2°F | 18°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 19.1" | 18.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 197 mi | 183 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 19.5 min | 16.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.4 | 31.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Bismarck
Elevated or high exposure: hail.
Garden City
Elevated or high exposure: hail, tornado, cold wave.
Your best match
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Bismarck
61
Your Score
66
Area Score
Garden City
57
Your Score
—
Area Score
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Full profiles: Bismarck, ND Metro Area · Garden City, KS Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology