Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 129,064 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 9.7% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 3.9% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 3.7% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Fargo
$42,212
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Fargo
$71,089
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Fargo
43.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $66,029 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $42,212 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $71,089 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 43.2% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 44.1% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2037 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Fargo
8.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Fargo
6.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Fargo
11.8%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 34.3% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.1% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 6.8% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 21.5% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 11.8% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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