Fargo ND vs Fort Collins CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fargo, ND
North Dakota · Population: 129,064
- Median HH Income$66,029
- Median Home Price$318,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+43.2%
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado · Population: 169,705
- Median HH Income$83,598
- Median Home Price$568,389
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+59.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Fort Collins
3.4%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 169,705 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 6.6% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 8.3% | 1.4% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.4% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Fort Collins
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.2% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 16.0% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $568,389 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 52.1% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 512 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 3234 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Fort Collins
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Fort Collins
20.3%
Fort Collins +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.7% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 9.4% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 20.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 50.3°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Fort Collins
21.8 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 21.8 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, 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 512 in Fort Collins. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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