Fargo ND vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Milwaukee
32.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 32.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 80.8% | 36.5% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $51,888 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $29,679 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $61,837 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 23.3% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 26.6% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 41.5% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Milwaukee
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 309 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 41.8% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 14.7% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 19.1% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 14.1% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.3% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 47.5°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 35.5 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 24.1 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. 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%.
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