Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Round Rock, TX
🏆 Fargo leads 12 of 23 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High
Population
127,319 ✓ Larger
Round Rock
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.6
Median Household Income
$91,888 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
34 ✓ Safer
Population
120,465
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Rent averages $686/mo less ($900 vs $1,586)
Homes cost $83k less ($254,900 vs $337,500)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 96°F
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Round Rock
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.4)
Cons
Median income trails Round Rock by $27,456/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
Round Rock, TX
Pros
74% less violent crime than Fargo
Households earn $27,456 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 17°F
Violent crime is well below the national average (130.7 vs 380/100k)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,586/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $337,500
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Fargo
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 97.6 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Median Home Value
$83k less
$254,900 vs $337,500
Round Rock
Median Income
$27,456
$91,888 vs $64,432/yr
Round Rock
Violent Crime
74% lower
130.7 vs 498.2 per 100k
Round Rock
Summer Heat
14.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.7°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Round Rock, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 97.6 |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 ✓ Lower | $337,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,586⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $91,888 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 3.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 25.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 19.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High | 58 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | A- (115) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 42.3% |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 93.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | ROUND ROCK ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 59.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 95.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" ✓ Drier | 36.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 ✓ Larger | 120,465 |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 55.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 25.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 10.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Round Rock's 97.6 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fargo leads 12 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 12 and Round Rock 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 Round Rock or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $337,500 median home), income ($64,432 vs $91,888), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Round Rock, TX are about 1,130 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.