Fargo ND vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.3 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 80.8% | 63.5% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 2.2% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $41,869 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.6% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 32.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $505,085 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 512 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 3234 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.8% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 17.0% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 15.2% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.6% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 32.8 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, 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 512 in Thornton. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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