Brownsville 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)
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Fargo
32.2
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 129,064 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 32.2 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 9.7% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 0.3% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 3.7% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Fargo
$318,584
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $318,584 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 44.1% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
| Metric | Brownsville, 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
Brownsville
40.8%
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 34.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 21.5% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
| Metric | Brownsville, 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
Brownsville
22.2 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. 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, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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