Fargo ND vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 126,103 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 38.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 5.3% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 71.0% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.8% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $55,902 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $33,290 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $61,860 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 15.6% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 29.1% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 449 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 2174 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 39.7% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 16.8% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 11.4% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.9% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 54.5°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 39.0 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Topeka
18.3 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 18.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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