City Comparison
Fargo vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fargo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fargo
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fargo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fargo's average rent is
24% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Fargo | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,450 | -24% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $2,570 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 5% lower 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 $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Fargo | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $71,500 | $59,646 |
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 | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 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 | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fargo is the larger city
— approximately 3.3x the population of Grants Pass.
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 | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,859 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 5.60% |
| 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.
Grants Pass
Advantages
Access to world-class outdoor recreation on the Rogue River, including rafting and fishing.
More sunny days and a warmer, drier climate compared to much of western Oregon.
Housing is comparatively more affordable than larger West Coast cities and some other Oregon metros.
A growing arts and food scene in a walkable, historic downtown.
Friendly community atmosphere appealing to families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Overall crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, particularly due to property crime.
Limited high-wage job opportunities compared to larger economic centers.
Air quality can be impacted by wildfire smoke during certain seasons.
Presence of a significant homeless population in the downtown core.
High car dependency due to minimal public transportation options.
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
Grants Pass
#584Oregon, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
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