Fargo ND vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 102,866 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.9 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 8.9% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 54.1% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.7% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $52,512 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $29,511 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $58,697 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.0% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 22.6% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 29.4% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 370 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 39.7% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 15.2% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 20.3% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 12.6% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.2% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 49.8°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 38.0 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 21.6 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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