Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Norwalk, CT
🏆 Norwalk leads 12 of 22 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High
Population
127,319 ✓ Larger
Norwalk
Connecticut
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$97,879 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
22 ✓ Safer
Population
91,050
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Rent averages $961/mo less ($900 vs $1,861)
Homes cost $237k less ($254,900 vs $491,800)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (3.6%)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Norwalk
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.4)
Cons
Median income trails Norwalk by $33,447/yr
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
Norwalk, CT
Pros
83% less violent crime than Fargo
Households earn $33,447 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (85.0 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 38°F vs 17°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,861/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $491,800
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Fargo
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 3.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Median Home Value
$237k less
$254,900 vs $491,800
Fargo
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
3.6% vs 5.9% unemployment
Norwalk
Median Income
$33,447
$97,879 vs $64,432/yr
Norwalk
Violent Crime
83% lower
85.0 vs 498.2 per 100k
Norwalk
Summer Heat
3.2°F warmer
July avg high 84.8°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Norwalk, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 106.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 ✓ Lower | $491,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,861⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $97,879 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 27.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 11.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High | 42 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High | 22 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 72 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | A- (113) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 12.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% | 42.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 88.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Norwalk School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 38.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 84.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" ✓ Drier | 51.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 34.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 ✓ Larger | 91,050 |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 40.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 54.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 19.4% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Norwalk's 106.5 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Norwalk leads 12 of 22 categories. Fargo wins 10 and Norwalk wins 12. 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 Norwalk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $491,800 median home), income ($64,432 vs $97,879), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Norwalk, CT are about 1,225 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.