Fargo ND vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.1 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 80.8% | 53.6% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $62,995 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $36,194 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $58,697 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.2% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 15.7% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 34.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Indianapolis
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 370 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 41.8 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 25.8 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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