City Comparison
Fargo vs Rugby
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fargo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fargo
Rugby
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rugby is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Fargo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fargo's average rent is
49% higher than Rugby's.
| Metric | Fargo | Rugby | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $740 | +49% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $185 | -5% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $1,635 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fargo offers 21% higher 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 $42,000 in Rugby.
| Metric | Fargo | Rugby |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $50,365 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 57,233 idx |
| Household Income | $71,500 | $50,365 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Rugby comes out ahead with 16 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fargo sees 7.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fargo | Rugby |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.60°F | 41.20°F |
| Summer High | 78.90°F | 75.30°F |
| Winter Low | 1.80°F | -2.90°F |
| Rainfall | 28.90 in | 20.60 in |
| Snowfall | 30.50 in | 22.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | 286 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rugby has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Fargo.
Fargo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Fargo | Rugby |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 20.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fargo is the larger city
— approximately 54x the population of Rugby.
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 | Rugby |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,859 | 2,481 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | — |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 40.1 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Rugby
Advantages
Median home values in Rugby remain exceptionally affordable compared to the national average per U.S. Census data.
Crime rates are significantly lower than national averages, offering a very safe environment for families.
Heart of America Medical Center provides robust local healthcare services and long-term care.
Short average commute times of around 11 minutes eliminate daily traffic stress.
Strong community support and active local economic development programs foster a welcoming business atmosphere.
Drawbacks
Harsh winter weather conditions feature sub-zero temperatures requiring substantial heating costs.
Limited public transit infrastructure creates high car dependency for daily needs.
Modest population decline over recent years presents challenges for local labor market expansion.
Narrower selection of retail shopping and entertainment options within city limits.
Lower median household income levels relative to state and national benchmarks.
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
Rugby
#180North Dakota, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$740
Avg Salary
$50,365
Cost Index
88
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
286/yr
Avg Temp
41.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
73
Business
65
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