Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Fargo
80.8%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 129,064 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 9.7% | Fargo + |
| White | 82.8% | 80.8% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 3.7% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Fargo
$42,212
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Fargo
$71,089
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Fargo
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Fargo
43.2%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $66,029 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $42,212 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $71,089 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 12.8% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 43.2% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 44.1% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2037 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Arvada +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Fargo
11.8%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 34.3% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 21.5% | Arvada + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.8% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Fargo
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Fargo
22.6 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 42.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 22.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while 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 512 in Arvada. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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