Baltimore MD 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)

Baltimore, MD

Maryland · Population: 577,193

Median HH Income$59,623
Median Home Price$191,668
Unemployment6.6%
Bachelor's+35.4%

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

Baltimore

577,193

Baltimore +

Fargo

129,064

Pop. Density / sq mi

Lower = more space

Baltimore

N/A

Fargo

N/A

Median Age

Baltimore

36.1

Fargo

32.2

Fargo +

Foreign Born

Baltimore

8.8%

Fargo

9.7%

Fargo +

White

Baltimore

27.4%

Fargo

80.8%

Fargo +

Black

Baltimore

60.0%

Baltimore +

Fargo

8.3%

Asian

Baltimore

2.5%

Fargo

3.9%

Fargo +

Hispanic

Baltimore

7.9%

Baltimore +

Fargo

3.7%

Spanish at Home

Baltimore

N/A

Fargo

N/A

Metric	Baltimore, MD	Fargo, ND	Better
Population	577,193	129,064	Baltimore +
Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space	N/A	N/A	-
Median Age	36.1	32.2	Fargo +
Foreign Born	8.8%	9.7%	Fargo +
White	27.4%	80.8%	Fargo +
Black	60.0%	8.3%	Baltimore +
Asian	2.5%	3.9%	Fargo +
Hispanic	7.9%	3.7%	Baltimore +
Spanish at Home	N/A	N/A	-

Economy

Median HH Income

Baltimore

$59,623

Fargo

$66,029

Fargo +

Per Capita Income

Baltimore

$39,195

Fargo

$42,212

Fargo +

Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)

BEA MSA-level

Baltimore

$70,886

Fargo

$71,089

Fargo +

Unemployment Rate

Baltimore

6.6%

Fargo

3.9%

Fargo +

Poverty Rate

Baltimore

20.1%

Fargo

12.8%

Fargo +

Bachelor's Degree+

Baltimore

35.4%

Fargo

43.2%

Fargo +

Metric	Baltimore, MD	Fargo, ND	Better
Median HH Income	$59,623	$66,029	Fargo +
Per Capita Income	$39,195	$42,212	Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level	$70,886	$71,089	Fargo +
Unemployment Rate	6.6%	3.9%	Fargo +
Poverty Rate	20.1%	12.8%	Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+	35.4%	43.2%	Fargo +

Housing

Median Home Value

Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS

Baltimore

$191,668

Baltimore +

Fargo

$318,584

Homeownership Rate

Baltimore

47.5%

Baltimore +

Fargo

44.1%

Metric	Baltimore, MD	Fargo, ND	Better
Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS	$191,668	$318,584	Baltimore +
Homeownership Rate	47.5%	44.1%	Baltimore +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Baltimore

433

Fargo

288

Fargo +

Property Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Baltimore

1724

Baltimore +

Fargo

2037

Metric	Baltimore, MD	Fargo, ND	Better
Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	433	288	Fargo +
Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	1724	2037	Baltimore +

Health

Obesity Rate

CDC PLACES

Baltimore

38.1%

Fargo

34.3%

Fargo +

Diabetes Rate

CDC PLACES

Baltimore

14.4%

Fargo

8.1%

Fargo +

Poor Mental Health

CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month

Baltimore

18.6%

Fargo

14.5%

Fargo +

No Health Insurance

CDC PLACES

Baltimore

10.4%

Fargo

6.8%

Fargo +

Binge Drinking

CDC PLACES

Baltimore

16.0%

Baltimore +

Fargo

21.5%

Current Smokers

CDC PLACES

Baltimore

16.1%

Fargo

11.8%

Fargo +

Metric	Baltimore, MD	Fargo, ND	Better
Obesity RateCDC PLACES	38.1%	34.3%	Fargo +
Diabetes RateCDC PLACES	14.4%	8.1%	Fargo +
Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month	18.6%	14.5%	Fargo +
No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES	10.4%	6.8%	Fargo +
Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES	16.0%	21.5%	Baltimore +
Current SmokersCDC PLACES	16.1%	11.8%	Fargo +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Baltimore

55.1°F

Fargo

42.4°F

Fargo +

Annual Precipitation

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Baltimore

41.9 in

Fargo

22.6 in

Fargo +

Metric	Baltimore, MD	Fargo, ND	Better
Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal	55.1°F	42.4°F	Fargo +
Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal	41.9 in	22.6 in	Fargo +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg

EPA AQS (state-level est.)

Baltimore

7.6 µg/m³

Baltimore +

Fargo

8.6 µg/m³

Good Air Days

AQI ≤ 50

Baltimore

75.0%

Fargo

75.0%

Tie

Metric	Baltimore, MD	Fargo, ND	Better
PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.)	7.6 µg/m³	8.6 µg/m³	Baltimore +
Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50	75.0%	75.0%	Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time

Census ACS

Baltimore

31.6 min

Fargo

17.3 min

Fargo +

Metric	Baltimore, MD	Fargo, ND	Better
Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS	31.6 min	17.3 min	Fargo +

Which City is Right for You?

Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.

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About Baltimore & Fargo

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