Rows tagged local are specific to Fargo (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Fargo, ND. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 5/10 (district 3806780 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
89.1
metro-area
#20 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
97.0
metro-area
#119 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.07
metro-area
#17 of 200
Median household income
$64,432
local
#85 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$38,337
local
#79 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.61%
local
#6 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+7.8%
local
#39 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$254,900
local
#91 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
4.0×
local
#81 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+3.2%
metro-area
#44 of 200
Price per square foot
$150
local
#106 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,700 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$900
local
#10 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
863
Median days on market
23
metro-area
#134 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
8.8%
state
#26 of 200
Combined sales tax
7.04%
state
#85 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
2.90%
Capital gains tax
2.50%
state
#45 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
1.26%
local
#129 of 200
Median property tax paid
$3,207
local
#127 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,000
state
#129 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$10,000
state
#58 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$130
state
#107 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
5
Avg commute to work
16 min
local
#2 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
12.3¢/kWh
state
#1 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$111
state
#1 of 200
Gasoline
$3.20/gal
state
#63 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$62
state
#69 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$70
state
#24 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$88
state
#190 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,100
state
#124 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#18 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$650
state
#41 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
38
metro-area
#25 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
500
metro-area
#13 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
8,900
metro-area
#199 of 200
Avg summer high
84°F
metro-area
#37 of 200
Avg winter low
-2°F
metro-area
#200 of 200
Annual precipitation
22.6"
metro-area
#39 of 200
Annual snowfall
50.0"
metro-area
#179 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
57%
metro-area
#121 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
4a
Frost window
05-25 → 09-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
290
state
#27 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,100
state
#95 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
16
metro-area
#190 of 200
Parks
31
Hiking areas
3
Golf courses
9
Shooting ranges
2
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.