Fargo ND vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Portland
80.1%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Fargo +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 68,505 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.5 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 80.8% | 80.1% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.2% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 3.1% | Fargo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $61,587 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.4% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $561,069 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Portland
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Portland
7.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 17.8% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 7.2% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 46.5°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 47.3 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 21.4 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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