Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Richmond, VA
🏆 Fargo leads 12 of 23 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High
Population
127,319
Richmond
Virginia
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$59,606
Violent Crime Index
89 ✓ Safer
Population
227,171 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Rent averages $327/mo less ($900 vs $1,227)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (3.6%)
Homes cost $53k less ($254,900 vs $308,300)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Richmond
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.4)
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
Richmond, VA
Pros
32% less violent crime than Fargo
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 17°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $308,300
Property crime (3179.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.1% vs 3.6%)
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Fargo
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Median Income
$4,826
$64,432 vs $59,606/yr
Fargo
Median Home Value
$53k less
$254,900 vs $308,300
Fargo
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
3.6% vs 6.1% unemployment
Richmond
Violent Crime
32% lower
336.9 vs 498.2 per 100k
Richmond
Summer Heat
7.9°F warmer
July avg high 89.5°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Richmond, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 ✓ Lower | $308,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,227 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 ✓ Higher | $59,606 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 6.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 22.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 14.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High | 114⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 11.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% | 44.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 88.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Richmond City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 47.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 89.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" ✓ Drier | 47.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 8.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 | 227,171 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 43.2% |
| Under 18 | 19.4% ✓ More | 17.1% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 13.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Richmond's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fargo leads 12 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 12 and Richmond wins 11. 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 Richmond or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $308,300 median home), income ($64,432 vs $59,606), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Richmond, VA are about 1,177 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.