Fargo ND vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 47,823 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 36.8 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 80.8% | 62.2% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 1.8% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.6% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $50,294 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $28,418 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $53,141 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 24.2% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 19.6% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $362,476 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 834 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 3177 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.6% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 15.4% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 11.5% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 55.7°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 19.1 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, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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