Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 129,064 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 9.7% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 10.2% | 8.3% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 3.7% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Fargo
$42,212
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $42,212 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 44.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2037 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 34.3% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 21.5% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, 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 324 in Clearwater. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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