Fargo ND vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Independence
5.3%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Independence
72.2%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 121,944 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 38.4 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 5.3% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 72.2% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.4% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $59,480 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $31,683 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $58,527 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.0% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 15.3% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 20.9% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 501 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2418 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 37.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.9% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 19.9% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 11.5% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.4% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 54.5°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 43.7 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 25.5 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. 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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