Fargo ND vs Grand Rapids MI — 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 Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 80.8% | 61.0% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $65,526 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $33,953 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $58,052 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.0% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 18.6% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 40.1% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 471 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 36.4% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.4% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.9% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 9.9% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 17.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.0% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 49.1°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 38.3 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 21.1 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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