Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Santa Monica, CA
🏆 Fargo leads 15 of 23 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
127,319 ✓ Larger
Santa Monica
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,797 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
205⚠ High
Population
92,168
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Homes cost $1400k less ($254,900 vs $1,654,800)
Rent averages $1327/mo less ($900 vs $2,227)
36% less violent crime than Santa Monica
26% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Monica
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (3.6%)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Santa Monica by $42,365/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
Santa Monica, CA
Pros
Households earn $42,365 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 17°F
More college-educated — 67.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 69°F vs 82°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,654,800
Higher rents — median is $2,227/mo
Cost of living runs 26% higher than Fargo
Violent crime (778.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
26% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Violent Crime
36% lower
498.2 vs 778.0 per 100k
Fargo
Median Home Value
$1400k less
$254,900 vs $1,654,800
Fargo
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
3.6% vs 6.2% unemployment
Fargo
Summer Heat
12.2°F warmer
July avg high 81.6°F vs 69.4°F
Santa Monica
Median Income
$42,365
$106,797 vs $64,432/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 ✓ Lower | $1,654,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $2,227⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $106,797 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 25.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 27.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 214⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High ✓ Safer | 228⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | A- (114) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% | 67.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 94.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Santa Monica-Malibu Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 62.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F ✓ Warmer | 69.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" | 12.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 ✓ Larger | 92,168 |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 42.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 28.9% |
| Under 18 | 19.4% ✓ More | 15.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 18.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Santa Monica's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 26% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fargo leads 15 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 15 and Santa Monica wins 8. 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 Santa Monica or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $1,654,800 median home), income ($64,432 vs $106,797), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Santa Monica, CA are about 1,436 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.