Fargo ND vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Palm Bay
59.2%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 125,273 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 41.3 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 80.8% | 59.2% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.1% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $34,474 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $65,328 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 22.6% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Palm Bay
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 324 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 36.5% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 14.0% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 17.6% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 14.2% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 29.6 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 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