City Comparison
Fargo vs West Fargo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Fargo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fargo
West Fargo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fargo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in West Fargo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fargo's average rent is
35% lower than West Fargo's.
| Metric | Fargo | West Fargo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,700 | -35% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $2,620 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Fargo offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, West 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 $52,000 in West Fargo.
| Metric | Fargo | West Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 69,565 idx |
| Household Income | $71,500 | $90,665 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Fargo | West Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.60°F | 44.60°F |
| Summer High | 78.90°F | 78.90°F |
| Winter Low | 1.80°F | 1.80°F |
| Rainfall | 28.90 in | 28.90 in |
| Snowfall | 30.50 in | 30.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | 270 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Fargo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fargo | West Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fargo is the larger city
— approximately 3.3x the population of West 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 | West Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,859 | 41,027 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 33.3 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 2.60% |
| 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.
West Fargo
Advantages
Median household income stands strong at $90,665, outperforming many regional peers per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Crime rates are well below the national average, ensuring a very secure environment for families per local safety reports.
Rapid population growth reflects high local satisfaction and strong economic vitality per municipal estimates.
A high percentage of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, fostering a skilled and progressive workforce.
Proximity to Fargo provides immediate access to major metropolitan amenities while maintaining a distinct suburban feel.
Drawbacks
Winters feature severe sub-zero temperatures and significant seasonal challenges based on local climate metrics.
High car dependency limits viable public transit alternatives for daily errands per demographic transit profiles.
Property tax rates in Cass County can be notable relative to overall home valuations per municipal tax data.
Seasonal weather extremes require higher home winterization and utility overhead costs.
Rental vacancy rates can tighten quickly during peak moving seasons due to high regional demand.
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
West Fargo
#22North Dakota, USA
72.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,700
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
44.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
80
Business
75
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