Burlington VT 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)
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
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
Burlington
44,649
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Fargo
32.2
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Fargo
80.8%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Fargo
3.7%
Fargo +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 129,064 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 32.2 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 9.7% | Fargo + |
| White | 85.8% | 80.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 3.7% | Fargo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Fargo
43.2%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $66,029 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 43.2% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 44.1% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Fargo
288
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 288 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 2037 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Fargo
8.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Burlington +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Fargo
11.8%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 34.3% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 8.1% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 21.5% | Burlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.8% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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