Fargo ND vs Lynchburg VA — 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%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Lynchburg
62.2%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 79,255 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 4.6% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 62.2% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.2% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Lynchburg
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Lynchburg
38.5%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $59,808 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $30,004 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $69,581 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.0% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 17.4% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 38.5% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Lynchburg
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Lynchburg
12.9%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 37.1% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.9% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 19.4% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 9.1% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.9% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 54.8°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 41.5 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Lynchburg
18.5 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 18.5 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while lynchburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,994. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 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