Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Eugene, OR
VS
Fargo, ND
🏆 Eugene leads 12 of 23 categories
Eugene
Oregon
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,481
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
176,755 ✓ Larger
Fargo
North Dakota
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High
Population
127,319
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Eugene, OR
Pros
36% less violent crime than Fargo
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 17°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $406,000
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Fargo
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 3.6%)
Fargo, ND
Pros
Homes cost $151k less ($254,900 vs $406,000)
Rent averages $369/mo less ($900 vs $1,269)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.5 pts lower (3.6%)
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Eugene
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
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
Eugene
Violent Crime
36% lower
317.9 vs 498.2 per 100k
Fargo
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Median Income
$2,951
$64,432 vs $61,481/yr
Fargo
Median Home Value
$151k less
$254,900 vs $406,000
Fargo
Unemployment
3.5 pp lower
3.6% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Fargo, ND |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.8⚠ High | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $406,000⚠ High | $254,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,269 | $900 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,481 | $64,432 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 3.6% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 6.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 131⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High ✓ Safer | 176⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 42.4% |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% | 95.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Eugene SD 4J | FARGO 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer | 17.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 81.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.1" | 24.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" ✓ Less | 52.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,755 ✓ Larger | 127,319 |
| Median Age | 35.2 ✓ Older | 31.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% ✓ Higher | 44.2% |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 19.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 13.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eugene's cost of living index is 103.8 vs Fargo's 89.4 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Eugene leads 12 of 23 categories. Eugene wins 12 and Fargo wins 11. 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 Eugene to Fargo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($406,000 vs $254,900 median home), income ($61,481 vs $64,432), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Eugene, OR and Fargo, ND are about 1,283 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.