Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Lancaster, CA
🏆 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
Lancaster
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,367 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
220⚠ High
Population
171,465 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Rent averages $676/mo less ($900 vs $1,576)
Homes cost $114k less ($254,900 vs $368,800)
40% less violent crime than Lancaster
26% cheaper overall cost of living than Lancaster
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.9 pts lower (3.6%)
Commutes run 15 min shorter each way
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
Median income trails Lancaster by $6,935/yr
Snowy winters — about 53" of snow per year
Lancaster, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 17°F
Households earn $6,935 more per year on average
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,576/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $368,800
Cost of living runs 26% higher than Fargo
Violent crime (834.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
26% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Violent Crime
40% lower
498.2 vs 834.7 per 100k
Fargo
Median Home Value
$114k less
$254,900 vs $368,800
Fargo
Unemployment
3.9 pp lower
3.6% vs 7.5% unemployment
Lancaster
Median Income
$6,935
$71,367 vs $64,432/yr
Lancaster
Summer Heat
16.0°F warmer
July avg high 97.6°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lancaster, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 ✓ Lower | $368,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,576⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $71,367 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 7.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 30.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 8.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 168⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 220⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 91 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | C- (63) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 19.4% |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 81.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Lancaster Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 58.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 97.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" | 6.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 | 171,465 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 57.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 27.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 11.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Lancaster's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 26% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fargo leads 12 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 12 and Lancaster 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 Lancaster or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $368,800 median home), income ($64,432 vs $71,367), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Lancaster, CA are about 1,390 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.