Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 129,064 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 9.7% | Fargo + |
| White | 36.7% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 46.8% | 8.3% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 3.7% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Fargo
$318,584
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $318,584 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 44.1% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2037 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 34.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 21.5% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. 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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