Fargo ND vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.0 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 80.8% | 70.5% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 2.7% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $60,713 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 13.4% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $580,126 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.2% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 12.3% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 52.8°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 21.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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