Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Atlanta +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 129,064 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 9.7% | Fargo + |
| White | 39.9% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 46.9% | 8.3% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.9% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 3.7% | Atlanta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Fargo
$42,212
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Fargo
43.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $66,029 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $42,212 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 43.2% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 44.1% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2037 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Fargo
11.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 34.3% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 21.5% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.8% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Fargo
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 42.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, 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 Atlanta. 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, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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