City Comparison
Fargo vs Bismarck
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fargo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fargo
Bismarck
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bismarck is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Fargo.
| Metric | Fargo | Bismarck | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,150 | -4% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $1,850 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bismarck offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bismarck delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fargo is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Bismarck.
| Metric | Fargo | Bismarck |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $71,500 | $76,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Fargo sees 6.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fargo | Bismarck |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.60°F | 44.70°F |
| Summer High | 78.90°F | 78.30°F |
| Winter Low | 1.80°F | 3.90°F |
| Rainfall | 28.90 in | 29.60 in |
| Snowfall | 30.50 in | 24.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | 279 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Fargo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fargo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fargo | Bismarck |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fargo is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Bismarck.
From a growth perspective, Fargo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Fargo | Bismarck |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,859 | 74,131 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fargo
Advantages
Fargo's median home price remains below the national average per 2024 housing data, offering high housing affordability.
The local unemployment rate stays consistently below the national average, supported by a diverse and resilient economy.
Fargo features short average commute times of under 20 minutes, significantly better than the US average.
The presence of Sanford Health and Essentia Health makes Fargo a premier regional hub for top-tier healthcare services.
A thriving downtown and vibrant arts community provide an active cultural lifestyle unusual for a city of its size.
Drawbacks
Fargo experiences harsh, freezing winters with heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures.
Public transit options are limited outside of core urban and campus areas, creating strong car dependency.
Heating and utility costs spike significantly during prolonged winter cold snaps.
Property tax rates in Cass County can be higher relative to home values compared to some other regions.
The local labor market can experience shortages in specialized technical and healthcare roles.
Bismarck
Advantages
Median home prices remain more affordable than the national average per recent regional housing reports.
Unemployment rates consistently track well below the national average due to a stable government and healthcare base.
Exceptional public safety with violent and property crime rates remaining significantly below national norms.
Short average commute times of under 20 minutes enhance daily work-life balance.
Abundant outdoor recreation access along the Missouri River and extensive local park systems.
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather brings prolonged freezing temperatures and significant snowfall that can disrupt travel.
Geographic isolation limits proximity to major metropolitan hubs and entertainment centers.
Limited public transit infrastructure makes owning a personal vehicle virtually mandatory.
Heating and utility costs spike during harsh winter months.
Air travel options from Bismarck Municipal Airport can involve layovers and higher ticket prices.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fargo
#49North Dakota, USA
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
44.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
77
Business
72
Bismarck
#65North Dakota, USA
69.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
279/yr
Avg Temp
44.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
78
Business
71
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