Fargo ND vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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 Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 42.9 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 80.8% | 51.3% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.6% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $65,328 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.3% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 15.2% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 39.8% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $510,297 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Fort Lauderdale
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 324 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 16.2% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 14.7% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.0% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 75.5°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 66.5 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 28.5 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, 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 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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