Fargo ND vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 124,865 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.4 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 4.8% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 8.3% | 1.6% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.1% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $57,074 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $534,732 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Meridian
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.4% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 15.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 8.2% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Meridian, ID | 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
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 23.6 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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