Bismarck, ND vs Irvine, CA
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
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Bismarck leads in cost of living index (106 vs 178). Bismarck leads in average commute (15.7 min vs 25.8 min). Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $76,014).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#819) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 75,092 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $383,424 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $76,014 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 15.7 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 7.6 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 106 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+43.2 | D+2.6 |
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 →
D+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, CA →