Fargo ND vs Sandy Springs GA — 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%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 107,198 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.1 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 80.8% | 59.3% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $57,405 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $694,123 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 392 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Sandy Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 8.9% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 17.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 27.9 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, 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 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
Compare More Cities
Fargo, ND vs New York, NYFargo, ND vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fargo, NDFargo, ND vs Houston, TXFargo, ND vs Phoenix, AZFargo, ND vs Philadelphia, PA