Fargo ND vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.7 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 80.8% | 28.7% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.8% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 15.6% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $664,939 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 28.8% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Jersey City
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Jersey City
14.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.6% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 14.9% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 12.0% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Jersey City, NJ | 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 +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 40.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. 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, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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