Fargo ND vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 119,508 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 40.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 80.8% | 44.0% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.5% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $65,328 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.4% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 14.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 37.6% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $399,650 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 324 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.7% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 16.4% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 16.9% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.0% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 75.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 62.3 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 25.0 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, 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 324 in West Palm Beach. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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