Fargo ND vs Moreno Valley 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%
Moreno Valley, CA
California · Population: 210,378
- Median HH Income$87,477
- Median Home Price$552,845
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+17.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 210,378 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 32.1 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 23.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 80.8% | 22.4% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 17.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.5% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 59.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Moreno Valley
17.3%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $87,477 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $28,255 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.4% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 17.3% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $552,845 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 62.8% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Moreno Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Moreno Valley
2388
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Moreno Valley, 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 +
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Moreno Valley
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Moreno Valley
12.5%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 39.6% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.6% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 19.0% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 15.6% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.5% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Moreno Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Moreno Valley, CA | 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
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Moreno Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 36.9 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, 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 Moreno Valley. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Moreno Valley 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%.
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