Fargo ND vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Lubbock
64.6%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 6.2% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 64.6% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 8.3% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.8% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Lubbock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Lubbock
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $60,487 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $34,629 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $63,758 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.8% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 19.0% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 34.9% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 50.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Lubbock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 442 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2339 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Lubbock
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Lubbock
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Lubbock
13.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 35.8% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 18.4% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 17.6% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.0% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Lubbock
17.4 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 17.4 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Fargo, ND vs New York, NYFargo, ND vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fargo, NDFargo, ND vs Houston, TXFargo, ND vs Phoenix, AZFargo, ND vs Philadelphia, PA