Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Pasadena, TX
🏆 Pasadena leads 12 of 23 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
127,319
Pasadena
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,698 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High
Population
150,620 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.3 pts lower (3.6%)
12% less violent crime than Pasadena
Rent averages $259/mo less ($900 vs $1,159)
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Pasadena
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
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $83k less ($171,600 vs $254,900)
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 17°F
Cons
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Fargo
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 3.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 100.2 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Violent Crime
12% lower
498.2 vs 566.1 per 100k
Fargo
Unemployment
5.3 pp lower
3.6% vs 8.9% unemployment
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$83k less
$171,600 vs $254,900
Pasadena
Summer Heat
11.3°F warmer
July avg high 92.9°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Pasadena, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 100.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 | $171,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,159 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $64,698 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 8.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 25.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High | 134⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | C+ (87) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 15.9% |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 73.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | PASADENA ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 92.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" ✓ Drier | 57.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 | 150,620 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 32.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 28.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 11.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Pasadena's 100.2 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Pasadena leads 12 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 11 and Pasadena 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 Pasadena or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $171,600 median home), income ($64,432 vs $64,698), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Pasadena, TX are about 1,192 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.