Fargo ND vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Vancouver
70.6%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.5 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 80.8% | 70.6% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 3.1% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.6% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 31.5% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $510,577 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Vancouver, 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 +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Vancouver
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Vancouver
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 36.2% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.9% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 19.1% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 9.4% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 52.1°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 41.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 25.1 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, 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 Vancouver. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Vancouver 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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