Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Reno, NV
🏆 Reno leads 13 of 23 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
127,319
Reno
Nevada
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,073 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High
Population
265,196 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Homes cost $207k less ($254,900 vs $462,100)
Rent averages $460/mo less ($900 vs $1,360)
6% less violent crime than Reno
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (3.6%)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Reno
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
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
Median income trails Reno by $8,641/yr
Snowy winters — about 53" of snow per year
Reno, NV
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 46°F vs 17°F
Households earn $8,641 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Fargo
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Violent Crime
6% lower
498.2 vs 529.6 per 100k
Fargo
Median Home Value
$207k less
$254,900 vs $462,100
Fargo
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
3.6% vs 5.0% unemployment
Reno
Median Income
$8,641
$73,073 vs $64,432/yr
Reno
Summer Heat
11.1°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Reno, NV |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 102.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 ✓ Lower | $462,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,360⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $73,073 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 20.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 9.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 35.3% |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 89.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Washoe County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 45.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" | 9.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 33.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 | 265,196 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 48.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 19.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Reno's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Reno leads 13 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 10 and Reno wins 13. 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 Reno or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $462,100 median home), income ($64,432 vs $73,073), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Reno, NV are about 1,259 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.