Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,244 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
192⚠ High
Population
3,881,041 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Homes cost $568k less ($254,900 vs $822,600)
Rent averages $891/mo less ($900 vs $1,791)
32% less violent crime than Los Angeles
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.1 pts lower (3.6%)
26% cheaper overall cost of living than Los Angeles
Commutes run 16 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (498.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Los Angeles by $11,812/yr
Property crime (3696.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 53" of snow per year
Los Angeles, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 17°F
Households earn $11,812 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $822,600
Higher rents — median is $1,791/mo
Cost of living runs 26% higher than Fargo
Violent crime (728.5/100k) 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
32% lower
498.2 vs 728.5 per 100k
Fargo
Median Home Value
$568k less
$254,900 vs $822,600
Fargo
Unemployment
4.1 pp lower
3.6% vs 7.7% unemployment
Fargo
Summer Heat
3.6°F warmer
July avg high 81.6°F vs 78.0°F
Los Angeles
Median Income
$11,812
$76,244 vs $64,432/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Los Angeles, 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 | $822,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,791⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $76,244 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 7.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 31.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 15.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High | 143⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 192⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 71 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 36.7% |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 78.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Los Angeles Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 66.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F ✓ Warmer | 78.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" | 14.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 | 3,881,041 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 36.6% |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 19.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 13.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Los Angeles'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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $822,600 median home), income ($64,432 vs $76,244), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Los Angeles, CA are about 1,432 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.