Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 129,064 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 9.7% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 22.4% | 8.3% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 3.9% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 3.7% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $66,029 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Fargo
$318,584
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $318,584 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 44.1% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2037 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 34.3% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 21.5% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
Compare More Cities
Arlington, TX vs New York, NYArlington, TX vs Los Angeles, CAArlington, TX vs Chicago, ILArlington, TX vs Houston, TXArlington, TX vs Phoenix, AZArlington, TX vs Philadelphia, PA