Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Knoxville, TN
🏆 Fargo leads 12 of 22 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
127,319
Knoxville
Tennessee
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8
Median Household Income
$48,309
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
191,857 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
33% less violent crime than Knoxville
Households earn $16,123 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (3.6%)
Rent averages $143/mo less ($900 vs $1,043)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
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
Knoxville, TN
Pros
Homes cost $71k less ($184,200 vs $254,900)
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 17°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
Median income trails Fargo by $16,123/yr
Violent crime (740.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2721.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (4.8% vs 3.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 92.8 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Median Income
$16,123
$64,432 vs $48,309/yr
Fargo
Violent Crime
33% lower
498.2 vs 740.3 per 100k
Fargo
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
3.6% vs 4.8% unemployment
Knoxville
Median Home Value
$71k less
$184,200 vs $254,900
Knoxville
Summer Heat
6.7°F warmer
July avg high 88.3°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Knoxville, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 92.8 |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 | $184,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,043 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 ✓ Higher | $48,309 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 4.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 20.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 9.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 169⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | B (103) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 33.1% |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 90.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Knox County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 47.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 88.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" ✓ Drier | 55.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 4.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 | 191,857 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 46.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% ✓ More | 18.2% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 14.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Knoxville's 92.8 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Fargo leads 12 of 22 categories. Fargo wins 12 and Knoxville 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 Knoxville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $184,200 median home), income ($64,432 vs $48,309), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Knoxville, TN are about 1,003 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.