Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Lubbock, TX
🏆 Fargo leads 14 of 23 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
127,319
Lubbock
Texas
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9
Median Household Income
$58,734
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High
Population
258,190 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
39% less violent crime than Lubbock
Rent averages $193/mo less ($900 vs $1,093)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (3.6%)
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $5,698 more per year on average
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.4)
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
Lubbock, TX
Pros
Homes cost $73k less ($181,600 vs $254,900)
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 17°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cons
Violent crime (821.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2628.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (4.6% vs 3.6%)
Median income trails Fargo by $5,698/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 90.9 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Median Income
$5,698
$64,432 vs $58,734/yr
Fargo
Violent Crime
39% lower
498.2 vs 821.0 per 100k
Fargo
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
3.6% vs 4.6% unemployment
Lubbock
Median Home Value
$73k less
$181,600 vs $254,900
Lubbock
Summer Heat
11.1°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Lubbock, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 90.9 |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 | $181,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,093 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 ✓ Higher | $58,734 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 4.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 16.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% ✓ Higher | 5.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 180⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 216⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | B+ (108) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 34.2% |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 88.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | LUBBOCK ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 55.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" | 20.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 7.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 | 258,190 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 ✓ Older | 30.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 51.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 22.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 12.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Lubbock's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fargo leads 14 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 14 and Lubbock wins 9. 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 Lubbock or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $181,600 median home), income ($64,432 vs $58,734), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Lubbock, TX are about 956 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.