Fargo ND vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.9 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 80.8% | 39.1% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.5% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $580,173 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 41.1% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 398 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Fargo +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 14.6% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 24.0% | Fargo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Washington, DC | 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
Fargo +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 32.8 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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