Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Boston
47.8%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 129,064 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 9.7% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 21.5% | 8.3% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 3.9% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 3.7% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Fargo
$42,212
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Fargo
$71,089
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Fargo
43.2%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $66,029 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $42,212 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $71,089 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 43.2% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 44.1% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2037 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Fargo
6.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Boston +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Fargo
11.8%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 34.3% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 6.8% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 21.5% | Boston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.8% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, 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 326 in Boston. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
Compare More Cities
Boston, MA vs New York, NYBoston, MA vs Los Angeles, CABoston, MA vs Chicago, ILBoston, MA vs Houston, TXBoston, MA vs Phoenix, AZBoston, MA vs Philadelphia, PA