Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Seattle, WA
🏆 Fargo leads 14 of 23 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
127,319
Seattle
Washington
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$116,068 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
204⚠ High
Population
734,603 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Homes cost $625k less ($254,900 vs $879,900)
Rent averages $1045/mo less ($900 vs $1,945)
36% less violent crime than Seattle
24% cheaper overall cost of living than Seattle
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (3.6%)
Cons
Median income trails Seattle by $51,636/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
Seattle, WA
Pros
Households earn $51,636 more per year on average
More college-educated — 66.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 17°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 82°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $879,900
Higher rents — median is $1,945/mo
Violent crime (775.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 24% higher than Fargo
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
24% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Violent Crime
36% lower
498.2 vs 775.1 per 100k
Fargo
Median Home Value
$625k less
$254,900 vs $879,900
Fargo
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
3.6% vs 4.2% unemployment
Fargo
Summer Heat
5.1°F warmer
July avg high 81.6°F vs 76.5°F
Seattle
Median Income
$51,636
$116,068 vs $64,432/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Seattle, 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 | $879,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,945⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $116,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 4.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 27.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High ✓ Safer | 238⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | A- (112) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% | 66.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% | 95.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 47.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" ✓ Drier | 38.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 3.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 | 734,603 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 44.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% ✓ More | 14.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Seattle's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 24% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fargo leads 14 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 14 and Seattle wins 9. 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 Seattle or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $879,900 median home), income ($64,432 vs $116,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Seattle, WA are about 1,193 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.