Fargo ND vs Irving TX — 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%
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Irving
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Irving
32.8
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Irving
36.7%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 255,036 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 32.8 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 41.9% | Irving + |
| White | 80.8% | 36.7% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 12.9% | Irving + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 22.6% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 43.0% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Irving
$39,462
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Irving
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Irving
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Irving
41.6%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $79,641 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $39,462 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $63,758 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.3% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 41.6% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Irving
$344,888
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
Irving
38.3%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $344,888 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 38.3% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Irving
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Irving
2339
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 442 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2339 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Irving
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Irving
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Irving
20.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Irving
17.0%
Irving +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 31.6% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.5% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 16.2% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 20.6% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 17.0% | Irving + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.2% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Irving
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Irving, TX | 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
Fargo +
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
Irving
55.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Irving
26.0 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 26.0 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, 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 442 in Irving. 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, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
Compare More Cities
Fargo, ND vs New York, NYFargo, ND vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fargo, NDFargo, ND vs Houston, TXFargo, ND vs Phoenix, AZFargo, ND vs Philadelphia, PA