Fargo ND vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.5 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 41.5% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.2% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $46,628 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $30,451 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 26.6% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 29.9% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 37.2% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 434 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 38.0% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 14.3% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.8% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 10.9% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.6% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 48.2°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
20.6 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 20.6 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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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