Fargo ND vs Huntington Beach 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%
Huntington Beach, CA
California · Population: 196,010
- Median HH Income$119,885
- Median Home Price$1,364,265
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+47.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 196,010 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 43.4 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 16.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 80.8% | 64.3% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 1.3% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 19.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.4% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 47.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $1,364,265 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 55.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Huntington Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Huntington Beach
2388
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Huntington Beach, 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%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Huntington Beach
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.2% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 16.2% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Huntington Beach, 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
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 31.2 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, 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 Huntington Beach. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Huntington Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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