Fargo ND vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 35.1 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 80.8% | 36.1% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $60,698 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $37,669 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $65,080 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 8.4% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 22.0% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 34.6% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 319 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 57.1°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 48.5 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 34.5 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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