Fargo ND vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 98,677 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 38.0 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 7.5% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 57.5% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.1% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $52,671 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $34,792 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $69,581 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.5% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 19.7% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 28.9% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 41.9% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 14.9% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.4% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 11.0% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.7% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 56.0°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 44.5 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 21.6 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke 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 Roanoke 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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