Cheyenne WY 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Fargo
80.8%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Cheyenne +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 129,064 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 9.7% | Fargo + |
| White | 89.9% | 80.8% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 3.7% | Cheyenne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Cheyenne +
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Fargo
$71,089
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Fargo
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $66,029 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $71,089 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 12.8% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 44.1% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Fargo
288
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 288 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 2037 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Cheyenne +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 34.3% | Cheyenne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 21.5% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
Fargo
22.6 in
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 22.6 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cheyenne leads in median household income at $69,171, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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