Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 129,064 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 9.7% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 23.7% | 8.3% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 3.7% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Fargo
$42,212
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $66,029 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $42,212 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Fargo
$318,584
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $318,584 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 44.1% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2037 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Dallas +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 34.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 21.5% | Dallas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. 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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