Fargo ND vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Plymouth
74.8%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Plymouth
4.7%
Plymouth +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 79,526 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 40.7 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 80.8% | 74.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 5.0% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 4.7% | Plymouth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Plymouth
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $69,467 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $514,358 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Plymouth
18.5%
Plymouth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 18.5% | Plymouth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 24.5 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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