Fargo ND vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 114,799 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 35.5 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 80.8% | 50.9% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $36,138 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.4% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 16.0% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 29.9% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $484,226 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 44.0% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 326 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Lowell
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.9% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 8.2% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.1% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 48.5°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 47.0 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 30.1 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, 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 326 in Lowell. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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