Fargo ND vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 118,578 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.5 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | 5.7% | Fargo + |
| White | 80.8% | 72.9% | Fargo + |
| Black | 8.3% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.3% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | $63,900 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $59,120 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.6% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 16.3% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 398 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 42.7% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 17.4% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.4% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 min | 20.0 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. 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, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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