Fargo ND vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Manchester
76.7%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 115,415 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.9 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 80.8% | 76.7% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 5.3% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 33.5% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $441,257 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Manchester
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 35.0% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.4% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 17.4% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 9.9% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.9% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 49.2°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 44.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 25.7 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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