Fargo ND vs Great Falls MT — 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%
Great Falls, MT
Montana · Population: 60,412
- Median HH Income$63,934
- Median Home Price$337,690
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+28.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Great Falls
4.9%
Great Falls +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 60,412 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 39.3 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 1.7% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 8.3% | 1.2% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.0% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 4.9% | Great Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $63,934 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $35,968 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $62,117 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 14.0% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 28.3% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $337,690 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 433 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Great Falls
19.6%
Great Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 35.8% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.7% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 19.2% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 10.0% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 19.6% | Great Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.0% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Great Falls
46.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 46.9°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, 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 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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