Fargo ND vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 80.8% | 51.9% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $45,845 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $27,570 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.4% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 29.6% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 30.5% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 41.3% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 434 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 41.5% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.7% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 20.8% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 9.7% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.1% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 49.0°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 41.5 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Syracuse
19.3 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 19.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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