Fargo ND vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Omaha
68.8%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 35.3 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 80.8% | 68.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Omaha
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $66,354 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.2% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 40.3% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Omaha
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 294 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Omaha
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Omaha
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Omaha
20.0%
Omaha +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 37.5% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.2% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 15.2% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 12.0% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 20.0% | Omaha + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.2% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Omaha
30.6 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 51.1°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
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Omaha
21.1 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 21.1 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Omaha. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 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