Fargo ND vs Lynn 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%
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 100,905 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 36.8 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 80.8% | 44.6% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 12.1% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Lynn
$35,083
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Lynn
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Lynn
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $35,083 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.6% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 13.7% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 23.3% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $584,482 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 50.4% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Lynn
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 326 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Lynn
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Lynn
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Lynn
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Lynn
14.6%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.3% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 17.6% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.6% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 33.8 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, 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 Lynn. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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