Fargo ND vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Irvine
33.9
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.9 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 80.8% | 38.7% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 2.0% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 11.3% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.5% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $1,566,872 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 43.8% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Irvine, 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%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Irvine
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Irvine
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 15.4% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 65.3°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Irvine
26.0 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 26.0 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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