Fargo ND vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.5 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 8.6% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.1% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Richmond
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $62,671 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $69,581 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.0% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 18.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $374,265 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 43.5% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 36.7% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.3% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.8% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 10.7% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.9% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 58.9°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 43.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 23.6 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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