Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Durham
44.0%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 129,064 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 9.7% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 34.4% | 8.3% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 3.9% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 3.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Fargo
$42,212
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Fargo
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Fargo
43.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $66,029 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $42,212 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 12.8% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 43.2% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 44.1% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2037 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Fargo
11.8%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 34.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 21.5% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.8% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, 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 398 in Durham. 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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