Fargo ND vs Kirkland WA — 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Kirkland
66.8%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 57,088 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.7 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 12.4% | Kirkland + |
| White | 80.8% | 66.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 6.1% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Kirkland
$41,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Kirkland
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $41,024 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.1% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 32.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $1,274,801 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Kirkland
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 383 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 3409 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 18.1% | Kirkland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Kirkland, WA | 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
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 28.2 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, 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 383 in Kirkland. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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