Eugene OR 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)
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
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
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 129,064 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 9.7% | Fargo + |
| White | 78.9% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 1.8% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 3.7% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Fargo
43.2%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 43.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 44.1% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2037 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 34.3% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 21.5% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 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, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. 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, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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