Fargo ND vs Lake Charles 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 81,679 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 36.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 4.7% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 47.3% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.6% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 4.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $56,864 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $35,847 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $55,297 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.5% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 23.2% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 29.4% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lake Charles, 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 +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Lake Charles
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 45.6% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 16.2% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 19.7% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 9.6% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.0% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 62.4 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lake Charles, 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 +
Lake Charles
19.0 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 19.0 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. 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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