Fargo ND vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Schenectady
4.7%
Schenectady +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 28,542 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 42.3 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 8.3% | 3.1% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.0% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 4.7% | Schenectady + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $321,835 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 434 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 38.6% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.3% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 19.2% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 9.7% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.9% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Schenectady, NY | 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
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 26.2 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, 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 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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