Fargo ND vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Rochester
3.9%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 26,509 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 38.7 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 7.1% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 8.3% | 3.6% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 3.9% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $69,467 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $344,633 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Rochester
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 36.4% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.2% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 7.1% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 34.0 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 28.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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