Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 129,064 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 29.0% | 8.3% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.9% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 3.7% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Fargo
$318,584
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $318,584 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 44.1% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2037 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 34.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 21.5% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Fargo
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 42.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. 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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