Fargo ND vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 121,537 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.1 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 6.6% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 59.1% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.1% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 7.6% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Lafayette
$39,861
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Lafayette
40.6%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $61,454 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $39,861 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $55,297 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.1% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 19.1% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 40.6% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 643 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2824 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Lafayette
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 34.5% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 14.0% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.4% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 17.8% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.1% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 67.6°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 61.0 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Lafayette
21.5 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 21.5 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. 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, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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