Fargo ND vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 94,723 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 36.9 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 80.8% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 8.3% | 0.8% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.5% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $60,713 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $672,082 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Sandy
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.4% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 16.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 8.7% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 24.6 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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