Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Lakewood, CO
🏆 Fargo leads 13 of 23 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
127,319
Lakewood
Colorado
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$82,786 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
207⚠ High
Population
156,149 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Homes cost $239k less ($254,900 vs $494,100)
Rent averages $765/mo less ($900 vs $1,665)
37% less violent crime than Lakewood
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Lakewood
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (3.6%)
Cons
Violent crime (498.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Lakewood by $18,354/yr
Property crime (3696.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 53" of snow per year
Lakewood, CO
Pros
Households earn $18,354 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 17°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $494,100
Higher rents — median is $1,665/mo
Violent crime (787.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Fargo
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Violent Crime
37% lower
498.2 vs 787.2 per 100k
Fargo
Median Home Value
$239k less
$254,900 vs $494,100
Fargo
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
3.6% vs 4.4% unemployment
Lakewood
Median Income
$18,354
$82,786 vs $64,432/yr
Lakewood
Summer Heat
4.3°F warmer
July avg high 85.9°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lakewood, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 ✓ Lower | $494,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,665⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $82,786 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 4.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 27.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 16.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 221⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 207⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High ✓ Safer | 243⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | B+ (105) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% | 44.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 93.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 44.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 85.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" | 17.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" ✓ Less | 58.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 | 156,149 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 58.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% ✓ More | 16.8% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 17.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Lakewood's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fargo leads 13 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 13 and Lakewood 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 Lakewood or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $494,100 median home), income ($64,432 vs $82,786), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Lakewood, CO are about 647 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.