Fargo ND vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.4 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 9.1% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 61.6% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $69,581 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.3% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 40.4% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $427,121 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 36.5% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 16.7% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.1% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 25.0 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Virginia Beach 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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