Fargo ND vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Fargo +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 41.5 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 80.8% | 78.9% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 6.6% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 2.4% | Fargo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $37,315 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $58,052 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.2% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 31.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 471 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 36.0% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.5% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 17.2% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.3% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sterling Heights, MI | 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
Fargo +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 27.5 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. 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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