Fargo ND vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 38.5 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 80.8% | 49.2% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Las Vegas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $38,421 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $62,696 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.2% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 14.2% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 27.3% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $426,069 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 460 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2417 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.5% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 19.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 17.0% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.6% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 67.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 27.7 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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