Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 129,064 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 9.7% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 17.1% | 8.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 3.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Fargo
$71,089
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $71,089 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 44.1% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Fargo
288
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 288 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2037 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 34.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 21.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Fargo
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Fargo
22.6 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 42.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 22.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | 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
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Elizabeth, NJ vs New York, NYElizabeth, NJ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elizabeth, NJElizabeth, NJ vs Houston, TXElizabeth, NJ vs Phoenix, AZElizabeth, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA