Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Austin
59.9%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 129,064 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 9.7% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 7.5% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 3.9% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 3.7% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Fargo
$42,212
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Fargo
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Fargo
43.2%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $66,029 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $42,212 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 12.8% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 43.2% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 44.1% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Fargo
8.1%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Austin +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Fargo
11.8%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.3% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.1% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 21.5% | Austin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.8% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. 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, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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