Fargo ND vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 80.8% | 21.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 1.4% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $28,813 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.7% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 14.2% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 15.5% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $751,711 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 503 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2388 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.4% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.2% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 22.4% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.9% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 57.3°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 28.8 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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