Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Fargo, ND
🏆 Fargo leads 12 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216
Fargo
North Dakota
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High
Population
127,319 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
39% less violent crime than Fargo
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $14,114 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 32°F vs 17°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Fargo
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Fargo, ND
Pros
Rent averages $572/mo less ($900 vs $1,472)
Homes cost $162k less ($254,900 vs $416,500)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Ann Arbor
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.4)
Smaller class sizes — 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (498.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Ann Arbor by $14,114/yr
Property crime (3696.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 53" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$14,114
$78,546 vs $64,432/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
39% lower
302.5 vs 498.2 per 100k
Fargo
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Median Home Value
$162k less
$254,900 vs $416,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Fargo, ND |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $254,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $900 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $64,432 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 3.6% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 6.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 131⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 176⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | A- (117) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 42.4% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 95.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | FARGO 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F ✓ Warmer | 17.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 81.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 24.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 52.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 127,319 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 31.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% ✓ Higher | 44.2% |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 19.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 13.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Fargo's 89.4 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fargo leads 12 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 11 and Fargo wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Ann Arbor to Fargo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $254,900 median home), income ($78,546 vs $64,432), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Fargo, ND are about 717 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.