Ann Arbor MI vs Fargo ND — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Fargo, ND
North Dakota · Population: 129,064
- Median HH Income$66,029
- Median Home Price$318,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+43.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
32.2
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
9.7%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
80.8%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 129,064 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 80.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 3.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
$42,212
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
43.2%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $66,029 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $42,212 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 43.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 44.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2037 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Fargo
8.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Fargo
6.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Fargo
11.8%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 34.3% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.1% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 6.8% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 21.5% | Ann Arbor + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.8% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
22.6 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 22.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fargo
17.3 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 17.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
Compare More Cities
Ann Arbor, MI vs New York, NYAnn Arbor, MI vs Los Angeles, CAAnn Arbor, MI vs Chicago, ILAnn Arbor, MI vs Houston, TXAnn Arbor, MI vs Phoenix, AZAnn Arbor, MI vs Philadelphia, PA