Fargo ND vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 35.4 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 80.8% | 50.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 4.7% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Modesto
13.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $34,656 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.3% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 13.0% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 20.3% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $447,353 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 503 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2388 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 36.2% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 19.0% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 13.0% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.7% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 63.7°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 30.5 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 503 in Modesto. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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