Fargo ND vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 91,535 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 42.9 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 80.8% | 66.9% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 4.9% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.1% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $865,610 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 28.8% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.0% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.7% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 20.7% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 65.6°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 28.0 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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