Fargo ND vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Orem
33.3
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Orem
77.1%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 86,973 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.3 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 80.8% | 77.1% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 1.9% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.6% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Orem
4.0%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $33,579 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $60,713 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.0% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 25.6% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $509,396 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 17.1% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 11.5% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 52.5°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 24.5 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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