Fargo ND vs Simi Valley 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%
Simi Valley, CA
California · Population: 125,769
- Median HH Income$117,703
- Median Home Price$839,862
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+37.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Simi Valley
63.3%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 125,769 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 41.8 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 80.8% | 63.3% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 1.4% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Simi Valley
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Simi Valley
37.5%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.5% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 37.5% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $839,862 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Simi Valley, 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%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Simi Valley
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Simi Valley
16.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Simi Valley
7.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.3% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 16.3% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 7.4% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Simi Valley, CA | 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
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 31.0 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, 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 Simi Valley. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Simi Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Simi Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.4%.
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