Downtown West Fargo · Billybob2002 / CC BY 4.0Young Field; West Fargo, ND · Billybob2002 / CC BY 4.0Bonanzaville USA (2013) · Cyndi and Dave / CC BY 2.0MIDCO Stage at Essentia Health Plaza · Billybob2002 / CC BY 4.0
West Fargo is a small city of 38,653 in North Dakota, with a median household income of $96,929
and a 0.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
West Fargo stands out for an affordable cost of living, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (A), a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether West Fargo is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All West Fargo city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 89.4
West Fargo's overall cost of living index is 89.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in West Fargo costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
West Fargo, ND
National Avg
Median Home Value
$282,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,049
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
65.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$96,929
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
West Fargo's violent crime rate is 163.8 per 100,000 residents
— 57% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
163.8 /100k
Property Crime
1014.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
West Fargo is served primarily by WEST FARGO 6.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.7:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
West Fargo, ND
National Avg
School District
WEST FARGO 6
—
Elementary Schools
16
—
Middle Schools
4
—
High Schools
5
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
44.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
97.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
West Fargo sees average highs of 17.3°F in January
and 81.6°F in July,
with 25.0 inches of annual precipitation
and 51.4 inches of snow per year.
West Fargo's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes West Fargo roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $282,400 and median rent is $1,049/month.
West Fargo's violent crime rate is 163.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1014.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in West Fargo are operated by WEST FARGO 6.
The district has 16 elementary, 4 middle, and 5 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.7:1. 44.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
West Fargo, ND has a population of 38,653, a median household income of $96,929, and an unemployment rate of 0.8%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
West Fargo averages 17.3°F in January and 81.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 25.0 inches
with about 51.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
West Fargo, ND is covered by 1 ZIP code: 58078.
The population of West Fargo, North Dakota is 38,653 with a median age of 32.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in West Fargo: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $282,400, median household income $96,929, crime index 45 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare West Fargo side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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