Fargo ND vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.3 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 80.8% | 59.4% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.3% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 33.5% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $496,966 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 383 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 3409 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 37.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.9% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.7% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 9.3% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.9% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 53.5°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 39.2 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 31.1 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while 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 383 in Tacoma. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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