Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Milwaukee, WI
🏆 Fargo leads 15 of 23 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
127,319
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.5
Median Household Income
$49,733
Violent Crime Index
377⚠ High
Population
573,299 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
65% less violent crime than Milwaukee
Households earn $14,699 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (3.6%)
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Rent averages $82/mo less ($900 vs $982)
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
Milwaukee, WI
Pros
Homes cost $97k less ($157,800 vs $254,900)
Milder winters — January highs near 30°F vs 17°F
Cons
Violent crime (1430.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Fargo by $14,699/yr
Property crime (2700.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 3.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 95.5 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Median Income
$14,699
$64,432 vs $49,733/yr
Fargo
Violent Crime
65% lower
498.2 vs 1430.9 per 100k
Fargo
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
3.6% vs 5.9% unemployment
Milwaukee
Median Home Value
$97k less
$157,800 vs $254,900
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Milwaukee, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 95.5 |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 | $157,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $982 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 ✓ Higher | $49,733 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 22.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 9.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 277⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 377⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | C (82) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 26.1% |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Milwaukee School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 29.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 82.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" ✓ Drier | 33.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 39.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 | 573,299 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 ✓ Older | 31.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 41.2% |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 25.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Milwaukee's 95.5 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fargo leads 15 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 15 and Milwaukee wins 8. 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 Milwaukee or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $157,800 median home), income ($64,432 vs $49,733), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Milwaukee, WI are about 506 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.