Elk Grove CA 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)
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
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
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 129,064 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 9.7% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 10.9% | 8.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 3.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 3.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Fargo
$42,212
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Fargo
$71,089
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Fargo
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $66,029 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $42,212 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $71,089 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 12.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 44.1% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2037 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Fargo
6.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Fargo
11.8%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 34.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 6.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 21.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 11.8% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Fargo
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Fargo
22.6 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | 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.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, 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 503 in Elk Grove. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Elk Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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