Fargo ND vs Garden Grove CA — 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%
Garden Grove, CA
California · Population: 170,603
- Median HH Income$90,166
- Median Home Price$1,012,728
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Garden Grove
39.6
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Garden Grove
28.4%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Garden Grove
1.3%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 170,603 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 39.6 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 45.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 80.8% | 28.4% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 1.3% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 41.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 37.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Garden Grove
$32,387
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Garden Grove
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Garden Grove
24.9%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $90,166 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $32,387 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.8% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 12.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 24.9% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $1,012,728 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 53.6% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Garden Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Garden Grove
2388
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 503 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2388 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Garden Grove
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Garden Grove
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Garden Grove
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 23.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 14.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 16.7% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 12.4% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 12.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.4% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Garden Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Garden Grove
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Garden Grove
31.1 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 31.1 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, 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 Garden Grove. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Garden Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
Compare More Cities
Fargo, ND vs New York, NYFargo, ND vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fargo, NDFargo, ND vs Houston, TXFargo, ND vs Phoenix, AZFargo, ND vs Philadelphia, PA