Buffalo NY 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)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 129,064 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 9.7% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 8.3% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.9% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 3.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Fargo
$71,089
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $71,089 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Fargo
$318,584
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $318,584 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 44.1% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2037 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 34.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 21.5% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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