Fargo ND vs Murfreesboro TN — 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%
Murfreesboro, TN
Tennessee · Population: 40,828
- Median HH Income$107,847
- Median Home Price$427,410
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 40,828 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 39.1 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 80.8% | 78.3% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 7.7% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 7.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $59,097 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $427,410 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 639 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2350 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 37.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.9% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 20.4% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 11.0% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.0% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 58.3°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 53.4 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 33.8 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, 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 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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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