Fargo, North Dakota

Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Fargo.

MapsToIt planning snapshot

How much does it cost to live in Fargo?

For relocators asking how much Fargo costs: the housing index sits at 78 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $269,800 and rents near $916. Local median income is about $66,029 and unemployment recently ran 2.1% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 16 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 450.5 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).

Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10 · Source vintages vary — see per-metric labels below · Methodology & sources

Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.

Housing cost index: 78U.S. avg 100
Median home value: $269,800U.S. $303,400
Median rent: $916U.S. $1,348
Median income: $66,029U.S. $78,538
Unemployment: 2.1%U.S. 4.2%
Avg commute: 16 minCatalog avg 25 min
Violent crime: 450.5per 100k · avg 586.6
Summer high: 80°FCatalog avg 87°F

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Key figures

Each metric shows how Fargo compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).

Population: 136,285City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Median household income: $66,029Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year16% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538
Housing cost index: 78ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year22% below U.S. avgU.S. 100
Median home value: $269,800City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year11% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400
Median rent: $916City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year32% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348
Unemployment: 2.1%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 20262.1 pts below U.S. avgU.S. 4.2 pts
Avg commute: 16 min36% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
Walk Score: 3424% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
Violent crime rate: 450.5annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)23% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6
Property crime rate: 3121.9annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)Near U.S. avg (3087.9)U.S. 3087.9
Summer high: 80°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals7.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
Winter low: 4°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals30.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
Annual rainfall: 24 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals27% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
Sunny days: 256As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (268)U.S. 268

Population trend

Fargo grew 28.5% from 106,025 in 2010 to 136,285 in 2024.

Dec 2024136,285 people+28.5% vs 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.

Is Fargo expensive compared to the U.S. average?

Compared with the U.S. average, Fargo runs 22 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.

Housing cost index 78 (U.S. 100)
Median home $269,800 vs U.S. $303,400
Median rent $916 vs U.S. $1,348

How much does housing cost in Fargo?

Budget first around $916/month rent or $269,800 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.

Median home value $269,800
Median rent $916/month
Median household income $66,029

What is the job market like in Fargo?

Labor-market context for Fargo: unemployment 2.1% and median income $66,029. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.

Unemployment 2.1% (U.S. 4.2%)
Median income $66,029

How long is the typical commute in Fargo?

Plan on roughly 16 minutes each way in Fargo. Walk Score estimates around 34 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.

16 minutes average one-way
Walk Score 34/100

Is Fargo safer than similar U.S. cities?

Fargo's FBI-derived violent rate (~450.5/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.

Violent 450.5 per 100k
Property 3121.9 per 100k

What is the climate like year-round in Fargo?

Fargo's climate profile: 80°F summer peaks, 4°F winter mornings, 24" annual rainfall, and 256 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.

Summer high 80°F
Winter low 4°F
24 in rain · 256 sunny days

Compare Fargo to another city Find cities like Fargo

About 136,285 people live in Fargo, ND. Households here report a median income near $66,029; our housing-derived cost index is about 78 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs). Entry home prices around $269,800 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.

Long winters and energy-cycle employment swings are hard to ignore. Winter lows around 4°F mean heating costs and snow logistics belong on the checklist. Commutes average near 16 minutes one-way, with walkability near 34/100. A recent county unemployment reading near 2.1% suggests a relatively tight local labor market. Violent-offense rates near 450.5 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.

Fargo is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Fargo with nearby alternatives before you relocate.

Nearby & similar cities

Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.

Sources

Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Fargo city, 1600000US3825700) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
BLS: BLS LAUS · Cass County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00014914 FARGO HECTOR INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024

Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10

Canonical profile · All North Dakota cities · Full city index