Fargo, North Dakota
Among the top 22% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 47% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 51% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 11% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 78% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 38% of US places
- top 3% for commute time
- top 5% for walkability
- bottom 1% for monthly owner costs
Fargo is a city in North Dakota with about 127,000 residents. It grades B+ for getting around and D for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include commute time, walkability, and natural disaster risk. It rates lower on air quality and monthly owner costs.
- The median home value in Fargo is $255k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Fargo is $64k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Fargo is $900 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Fargo has a violent crime rate of 2891/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Fargo is 16 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Dry · Heavy snow
freezing
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78%51%clearovercast
Precipitation 3.6 in0.7 in
humid 45%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$64k53rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$44kbetter than 75% of US places
Home Value$255k71st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$900better than 52% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$25kbetter than 1% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.26%better than 36% of US places
Income Tax2.50%better than 82% of US places
Sales Tax7.04%better than 55% of US places
Estimated total tax burden9.80%better than 50% of US places
Unemployment3.6%better than 53% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)9°F2nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)71°F17th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation25.0 in19th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall52.7 inbetter than 12% of US places
Sunny Days229 daysbetter than 45% of US places
Summer Humidity60°Fbetter than 76% of US places
Comfortable Days86 daysbetter than 61% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk38.3better than 83% of US places
Air Quality57 AQIbetter than 2% of US places
School Quality67.0better than 62% of US places
Violent Crime2891/100kbetter than 3% of US places
Property Crime4166/100kbetter than 2% of US places
Community
Population127,31999th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age31.913th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.3366th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0260th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningEven26th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)80.2%42nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)8.5%82nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)3.2%48th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)4.0%89th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)4.1%63rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time16 minbetter than 97% of US places
Walkability13.2/20better than 95% of US places
Airport Distance220 mibetter than 6% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access86.6%better than 51% of US places
Amenities Nearby29.53better than 28% of US places
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 57% of US places
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Fargo an affordable place to live?
- Fargo is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $44k, better than 75% of comparable areas. Median rent is $900.
- Is Fargo safe?
- Fargo is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 2891/100k (better than 3%). Property crime is 4166/100k.
- What is the weather like in Fargo?
- Fargo averages 71°F in July and 9°F in January, with 25.0 in of annual precipitation and about 229 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Fargo?
- Public-school quality in Fargo is above average, scoring better than 62% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Fargo?
- The average one-way commute in Fargo is 16 min.