Bloomington MN 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)
Bloomington, MN
Minnesota · Population: 71,261
- Median HH Income$103,382
- Median Home Price$366,438
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+36.1%
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
Bloomington
71,261
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Bloomington +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 129,064 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 9.7% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.6% | 8.3% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 3.9% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 3.7% | Bloomington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Fargo
$42,212
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Fargo
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $66,029 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $42,212 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 12.8% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 44.1% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Fargo
288
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 288 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2037 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Fargo
14.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
Fargo
11.8%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 34.3% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 14.5% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 21.5% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.8% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Fargo
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Fargo
22.6 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 42.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 22.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Bloomington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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