City Comparison
Fargo vs Horace
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Horace scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fargo
Horace
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fargo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Horace.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fargo's average rent is
24% lower than Horace's.
| Metric | Fargo | Horace | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,450 | -24% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $2,415 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Horace offers 22% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Horace 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 Horace.
| Metric | Fargo | Horace |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 79,592 idx |
| Household Income | $71,500 | $115,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Fargo sees 0.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fargo | Horace |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.60°F | 44.60°F |
| Summer High | 78.90°F | 79.30°F |
| Winter Low | 1.80°F | 1.30°F |
| Rainfall | 28.90 in | 29.90 in |
| Snowfall | 30.50 in | 30.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | 272 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fargo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Horace.
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 | Horace |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 32.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fargo is the larger city
— approximately 39x the population of Horace.
From a growth perspective, Horace is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Fargo | Horace |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,859 | 3,433 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 8.50% |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 34.5 |
| 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.
Horace
Advantages
Rapid population and community growth with modern, newly constructed housing developments.
Exceptionally low crime rates and a secure environment ideal for raising families.
Direct proximity to Fargo's major employers, healthcare systems, and cultural amenities.
High median household incomes well above the national and state averages.
Active local park district and family-oriented community programming.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options within city limits.
Severe winter weather conditions with prolonged sub-zero temperatures and snowfall.
Limited local commercial and entertainment options directly within Horace proper.
Rising housing and property values driven by rapid suburban expansion.
Flat regional geography with limited natural topographic diversity.
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
Horace
#5North Dakota, USA
77.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
272/yr
Avg Temp
44.60°F
Pop. Growth
8.50%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
82
Business
70
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