City Comparison
Fargo vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fargo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fargo
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fargo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fargo's average rent is
22% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Fargo | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,412 | -22% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $281 | -38% |
| Transport | $110 | $126 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $135 | +63% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $2,404 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fargo offers similar average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fargo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fargo is estimated at
$48,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Fargo | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $71,500 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fargo runs warmer on average — a 44.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fargo comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fargo sees 30.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fargo | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 1.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 28.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 30.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fargo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fargo | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Fargo.
From a growth perspective, Fargo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fargo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fargo | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,859 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.30% |
| 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.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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
Dallas
#525Texas, USA
50.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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