Fargo ND vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Gainesville
59.2%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 80.8% | 59.2% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Gainesville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Gainesville
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $45,611 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $30,282 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $65,328 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.8% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 28.0% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 38.5% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Gainesville
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 324 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Gainesville
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Gainesville
11.8%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.8% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 21.3% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 13.9% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 17.8% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.8% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 68.9°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 47.3 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Gainesville
20.1 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 20.1 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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