Retiring in Fargo, ND

Retirement city profile: climate, cost of living, healthcare, safety and more

80°/4°

Climate (Summer/Winter)

$322,501

Housing (Typical Value)

504.9

Safety (Violent Crime/100,000)

Is Fargo Right for Your Retirement?

With a reported population of 129,064, Fargo offers a smaller-city setting for retirement planning. This profile brings its climate, housing, reported crime, healthcare access, walkability and natural hazard exposure into one view so you can evaluate the tradeoffs.

Potential Strengths

Mild summers
Lower housing costs
Moderate city size
Low wildfire risk
Low earthquake risk

Potential Tradeoffs

Dry climate
Higher violent crime
Higher property crime
Elevated ice storms risk

Potential advantages. The average June through August high is 80°F. The typical home value is $322,501, 13% below the $371,774 US median. Median gross rent is $916 per month, 35% below the $1,400 per month US median. FEMA and NOAA assign lower risk designations to wildfire and earthquake.

Potential tradeoffs. Annual precipitation is 26.1 inches. The reported violent crime rate is 504.9 per 100,000, 41% above the 359.1 per 100,000 US median. The reported property crime rate is 3725.6 per 100,000, 112% above the 1760.1 per 100,000 US median. FEMA and NOAA assign an elevated risk designation to ice storms.

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Climate

Summer high (Jun-Aug avg)80°F

Winter low (Dec-Feb avg)4°F

Annual snowfall52.7"

Annual precipitation26.1"

Housing & Cost of Living

Typical home value (ZHVI)$322,50113% below the $371,774 US median

Median gross rent$916/mo35% below the $1,400/mo US median

Safety (Reported Crime)

Violent crime rate504.9 /100,00041% above the 359.1 /100,000 US median

Property crime rate3725.6 /100,000112% above the 1760.1 /100,000 US median

Motor vehicle theft rate357.4 /100,000

Healthcare Access

Nearest hospitalEssentia Health-Fargo (0.7 mi)

Hospital qualityNot Rated (CMS)

Primary care accessStrong (1,014 residents/physician)

Walkability

EPA Walkability Index13.5/20 (Above Average)

Population & City Size

Population129,064Classified as a smaller city

Elevation905 ft

Natural Disaster Risk

Riverine floodingRelatively Moderate

Coastal floodingN/A

TornadoRelatively Moderate

HurricaneN/A

WildfireVery Low

EarthquakeVery Low

Ice stormsVery High

TsunamiN/A

Sources & Freshness

Crime: FBI UCR/NIBRS · Climate: NOAA Climate Normals · Natural disaster risk: FEMA National Risk Index & NOAA · Hospital location & distance: HIFLD · Hospital quality rating: CMS Hospital Compare · Primary care access: HRSA county-level provider data · Home value: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) · Rent: Census ACS place-level data · Population & elevation: US Census Bureau · Walkability: EPA National Walkability Index.
National median/average figures used for comparison (home value, rent, crime, precipitation) are recalculated annually from the same source datasets above.
Data last refreshed: August 2026.
Figures are comparative indicators and may not reflect neighborhood-level conditions. Confirm current housing, healthcare and hazard information with the cited sources before making a relocation decision.

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