Dearborn MI 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)
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
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
Dearborn
107,846
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Fargo
80.8%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Fargo
3.7%
Fargo +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 129,064 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 9.7% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 80.8% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 3.7% | Fargo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Fargo
$318,584
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $318,584 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 44.1% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2037 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Dearborn +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 34.3% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 21.5% | Dearborn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. 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, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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