Fargo ND vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 38.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 80.8% | 49.1% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $708,498 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Stamford
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.6% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 12.3% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 52.3°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 53.2 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 30.1 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
Compare More Cities
Fargo, ND vs New York, NYFargo, ND vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fargo, NDFargo, ND vs Houston, TXFargo, ND vs Phoenix, AZFargo, ND vs Philadelphia, PA