Fargo ND vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 8.0% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 50.7% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $55,931 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $35,704 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $65,328 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.5% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 23.2% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 39.5% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Tallahassee
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 324 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Tallahassee
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.6% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 20.3% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 13.2% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.2% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 67.6°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 58.1 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Tallahassee
20.3 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 20.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tallahassee. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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