Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Indianapolis, IN
🏆 Fargo leads 13 of 23 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
127,319
Indianapolis
Indiana
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.6
Median Household Income
$59,110
Violent Crime Index
231⚠ High
Population
882,006 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
43% less violent crime than Indianapolis
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (3.6%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Rent averages $146/mo less ($900 vs $1,046)
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $5,322 more per year on average
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
Indianapolis, IN
Pros
Homes cost $70k less ($184,600 vs $254,900)
Milder winters — January highs near 34°F vs 17°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.6)
Cons
Violent crime (877.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3336.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 3.6%)
Median income trails Fargo by $5,322/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 94.6 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Median Income
$5,322
$64,432 vs $59,110/yr
Fargo
Violent Crime
43% lower
498.2 vs 877.9 per 100k
Fargo
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
3.6% vs 5.6% unemployment
Indianapolis
Median Home Value
$70k less
$184,600 vs $254,900
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Indianapolis, IN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 94.6 |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 | $184,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,046 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 ✓ Higher | $59,110 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 24.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 10.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 202⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 231⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 159⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 12.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 33.4% |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 87.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Indianapolis Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 34.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 83.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" ✓ Drier | 41.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 25.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 | 882,006 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 54.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Indianapolis's 94.6 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fargo leads 13 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 13 and Indianapolis wins 10. 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 Fargo to Indianapolis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $184,600 median home), income ($64,432 vs $59,110), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Indianapolis, IN are about 726 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.