Fargo ND vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Sparks
N/A
White
Fargo
80.8%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sparks, NV | 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
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sparks, NV | 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 | $62,696 | 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 +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $530,668 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 460 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2417 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Sparks
18.7%
Sparks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.8% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.1% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 13.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 18.7% | Sparks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.9% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 52.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sparks, NV | 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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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