El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Fargo
9.7%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 129,064 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 9.7% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 3.6% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 3.7% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Fargo
$318,584
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $318,584 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 44.1% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 34.3% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 21.5% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Fargo
22.6 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 22.6 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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