Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Fargo
32.2
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Athens
57.6%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 129,064 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 32.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 9.7% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 26.2% | 8.3% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.9% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 3.7% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Fargo
43.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 43.2% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 44.1% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2037 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fargo
8.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Fargo
14.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fargo
6.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fargo
11.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, 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 392 in Athens. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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