Fargo ND vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 35.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 80.8% | 69.9% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $52,606 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.0% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 15.7% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $332,727 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 55.6°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 45.2 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 22.5 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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