Fargo ND vs Grand Island NE — 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%
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Grand Island
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Grand Island
N/A
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Grand Island
N/A
White
Fargo
80.8%
Grand Island
N/A
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Grand Island
N/A
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Grand Island
N/A
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Grand Island
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 80.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Grand Island
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Grand Island
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Grand Island
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $66,354 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $254,245 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Grand Island
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 294 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1960 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Grand Island
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Grand Island
11.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Grand Island
17.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Grand Island
19.1%
Grand Island +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Grand Island
14.8%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 41.5% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.6% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 14.4% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 17.5% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 19.1% | Grand Island + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Grand Island
50.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Grand Island
26.7 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 50.8°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 26.7 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Grand Island
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Grand Island. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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