Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Olathe, KS
🏆 Olathe leads 16 of 23 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High
Population
127,319
Olathe
Kansas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3
Median Household Income
$108,077 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
52 ✓ Safer
Population
142,114 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Rent averages $329/mo less ($900 vs $1,229)
Homes cost $63k less ($254,900 vs $317,900)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.4)
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 88°F
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Olathe
Cons
Median income trails Olathe by $43,645/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
Olathe, KS
Pros
Households earn $43,645 more per year on average
61% less violent crime than Fargo
Violent crime is well below the national average (196.0 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 39°F vs 17°F
More college-educated — 50.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $317,900
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Fargo
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 93.3 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Median Home Value
$63k less
$254,900 vs $317,900
Olathe
Median Income
$43,645
$108,077 vs $64,432/yr
Olathe
Violent Crime
61% lower
196.0 vs 498.2 per 100k
Olathe
Summer Heat
6.6°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Olathe, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 93.3 |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 ✓ Lower | $317,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,229 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $108,077 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.2% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 21.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 16.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High | 49 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High | 52 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 45 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) | A (125) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 | 4.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% | 50.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 94.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | School for Deaf |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 38.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" ✓ Drier | 40.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 13.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 | 142,114 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 73.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 26.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Olathe's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Olathe leads 16 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 7 and Olathe wins 16. 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 Olathe or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $317,900 median home), income ($64,432 vs $108,077), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Olathe, KS are about 561 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.