Fargo ND vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.0 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 80.8% | 61.6% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $69,467 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.7% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 16.4% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $334,719 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Minneapolis
19.8%
Minneapolis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 17.1% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 9.9% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 19.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.7% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 46.3°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 30.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 24.2 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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