Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Renton, WA
🏆 Fargo leads 13 of 23 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High
Population
127,319 ✓ Larger
Renton
Washington
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
89 ✓ Safer
Population
105,355
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Homes cost $322k less ($254,900 vs $576,800)
Rent averages $964/mo less ($900 vs $1,864)
24% cheaper overall cost of living than Renton
Commutes run 15 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (3.6%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.4)
Cons
Median income trails Renton by $27,860/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
Renton, WA
Pros
Households earn $27,860 more per year on average
32% less violent crime than Fargo
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 17°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $576,800
Higher rents — median is $1,864/mo
Cost of living runs 24% higher than Fargo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
24% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Median Home Value
$322k less
$254,900 vs $576,800
Fargo
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
3.6% vs 4.2% unemployment
Fargo
Summer Heat
4.4°F warmer
July avg high 81.6°F vs 77.2°F
Renton
Median Income
$27,860
$92,292 vs $64,432/yr
Renton
Violent Crime
32% lower
339.2 vs 498.2 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Renton, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 ✓ Lower | $576,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,864⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $92,292 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 4.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 30.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 16.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High | 117⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 158⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 36.9% |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 89.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Renton School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 48.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F ✓ Warmer | 77.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" ✓ Drier | 44.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 6.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 ✓ Larger | 105,355 |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 53.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 20.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 12.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Renton's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 24% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fargo leads 13 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 13 and Renton wins 10. 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 Renton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $576,800 median home), income ($64,432 vs $92,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Renton, WA are about 1,187 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.