Fargo ND vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Renton
6.8%
Renton +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 75,721 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 35.0 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 80.8% | 48.7% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 2.2% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 6.8% | Renton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Renton
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.1% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $765,686 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 383 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 3409 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Renton
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Renton
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.5% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 16.0% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 9.1% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 53.2°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 40.1 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 25.4 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Renton. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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