Fargo ND vs Sioux Falls SD — 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%

Sioux Falls, SD

South Dakota · Population: N/A

Median HH IncomeN/A
Median Home Price$333,043
UnemploymentN/A
Bachelor's+N/A

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population

Fargo

129,064

Sioux Falls

N/A

Pop. Density / sq mi

Lower = more space

Fargo

N/A

Sioux Falls

N/A

Median Age

Fargo

32.2

Sioux Falls

N/A

Foreign Born

Fargo

9.7%

Sioux Falls

N/A

White

Fargo

80.8%

Sioux Falls

N/A

Black

Fargo

8.3%

Sioux Falls

N/A

Asian

Fargo

3.9%

Sioux Falls

N/A

Hispanic

Fargo

3.7%

Sioux Falls

N/A

Spanish at Home

Fargo

N/A

Sioux Falls

N/A

Metric	Fargo, ND	Sioux Falls, SD	Better
Population	129,064	N/A	-
Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space	N/A	N/A	-
Median Age	32.2	N/A	-
Foreign Born	9.7%	N/A	-
White	80.8%	N/A	-
Black	8.3%	N/A	-
Asian	3.9%	N/A	-
Hispanic	3.7%	N/A	-
Spanish at Home	N/A	N/A	-

Economy

Median HH Income

Fargo

$66,029

Sioux Falls

N/A

Per Capita Income

Fargo

$42,212

Sioux Falls

N/A

Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)

BEA MSA-level

Fargo

$71,089

Fargo +

Sioux Falls

$69,795

Unemployment Rate

Fargo

3.9%

Sioux Falls

N/A

Poverty Rate

Fargo

12.8%

Sioux Falls

N/A

Bachelor's Degree+

Fargo

43.2%

Sioux Falls

N/A

Metric	Fargo, ND	Sioux Falls, SD	Better
Median HH Income	$66,029	N/A	-
Per Capita Income	$42,212	N/A	-
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level	$71,089	$69,795	Fargo +
Unemployment Rate	3.9%	N/A	-
Poverty Rate	12.8%	N/A	-
Bachelor's Degree+	43.2%	N/A	-

Housing

Median Home Value

Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS

Fargo

$318,584

Fargo +

Sioux Falls

$333,043

Homeownership Rate

Fargo

44.1%

Sioux Falls

N/A

Metric	Fargo, ND	Sioux Falls, SD	Better
Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS	$318,584	$333,043	Fargo +
Homeownership Rate	44.1%	N/A	-

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Fargo

288

Fargo +

Sioux Falls

405

Property Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Fargo

2037

Sioux Falls

1873

Sioux Falls +

Metric	Fargo, ND	Sioux Falls, SD	Better
Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	288	405	Fargo +
Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	2037	1873	Sioux Falls +

Health

Obesity Rate

CDC PLACES

Fargo

34.3%

Fargo +

Sioux Falls

36.9%

Diabetes Rate

CDC PLACES

Fargo

8.1%

Fargo +

Sioux Falls

10.5%

Poor Mental Health

CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month

Fargo

14.5%

Fargo +

Sioux Falls

15.7%

No Health Insurance

CDC PLACES

Fargo

6.8%

Fargo +

Sioux Falls

8.9%

Binge Drinking

CDC PLACES

Fargo

21.5%

Sioux Falls

19.8%

Sioux Falls +

Current Smokers

CDC PLACES

Fargo

11.8%

Fargo +

Sioux Falls

13.9%

Metric	Fargo, ND	Sioux Falls, SD	Better
Obesity RateCDC PLACES	34.3%	36.9%	Fargo +
Diabetes RateCDC PLACES	8.1%	10.5%	Fargo +
Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month	14.5%	15.7%	Fargo +
No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES	6.8%	8.9%	Fargo +
Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES	21.5%	19.8%	Sioux Falls +
Current SmokersCDC PLACES	11.8%	13.9%	Fargo +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Fargo

42.4°F

Fargo +

Sioux Falls

45.0°F

Annual Precipitation

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Fargo

22.6 in

Fargo +

Sioux Falls

27.7 in

Metric	Fargo, ND	Sioux Falls, SD	Better
Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal	42.4°F	45.0°F	Fargo +
Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal	22.6 in	27.7 in	Fargo +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg

EPA AQS (state-level est.)

Fargo

8.6 µg/m³

Sioux Falls

7.3 µg/m³

Sioux Falls +

Good Air Days

AQI ≤ 50

Fargo

75.0%

Sioux Falls

75.0%

Tie

Metric	Fargo, ND	Sioux Falls, SD	Better
PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.)	8.6 µg/m³	7.3 µg/m³	Sioux Falls +
Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50	75.0%	75.0%	Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time

Census ACS

Fargo

17.3 min

Sioux Falls

N/A

Metric	Fargo, ND	Sioux Falls, SD	Better
Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS	17.3 min	N/A	-

Which City is Right for You?

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 405 in Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.

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About Fargo & Sioux Falls

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