Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Kansas City, MO
🏆 Fargo leads 12 of 23 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
127,319
Kansas City
Missouri
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3
Median Household Income
$65,256 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
407⚠ High
Population
505,958 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
68% less violent crime than Kansas City
Rent averages $231/mo less ($900 vs $1,131)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (3.6%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.4)
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
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
Kansas City, MO
Pros
Homes cost $46k less ($208,900 vs $254,900)
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 17°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Cons
Violent crime (1547.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4676.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (4.8% vs 3.6%)
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Fargo
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 93.3 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Violent Crime
68% lower
498.2 vs 1547.1 per 100k
Fargo
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
3.6% vs 4.8% unemployment
Kansas City
Median Income
$824
$65,256 vs $64,432/yr
Kansas City
Median Home Value
$46k less
$208,900 vs $254,900
Kansas City
Summer Heat
8.6°F warmer
July avg high 90.2°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Kansas City, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 93.3 |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 | $208,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,131 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $65,256 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 4.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 22.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 12.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 333⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 407⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High ✓ Safer | 223⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | B (101) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 37.1% |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 91.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | KANSAS CITY 33 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 39.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 90.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" ✓ Drier | 38.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 11.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 | 505,958 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 54.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 22.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Kansas City's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fargo leads 12 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 12 and Kansas City 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 Fargo to Kansas City or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $208,900 median home), income ($64,432 vs $65,256), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Kansas City, MO are about 547 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.