Fargo ND vs San Jose 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%
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 38.1 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 80.8% | 29.0% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 2.9% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
San Jose
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.7% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $1,452,609 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Fargo, ND | San Jose, 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%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
San Jose
14.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
San Jose
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 14.9% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 9.1% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 61.5°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 30.4 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 San Jose. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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