Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
South Gate, CA
🏆 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 ✓ Larger
South Gate
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,188 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
138⚠ High
Population
92,381
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Homes cost $324k less ($254,900 vs $578,900)
Rent averages $500/mo less ($900 vs $1,400)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.3 pts lower (3.6%)
26% cheaper overall cost of living than South Gate
Commutes run 16 min shorter each way
5% less violent crime than South Gate
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
Median income trails South Gate by $2,756/yr
South Gate, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 17°F
Households earn $2,756 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $578,900
Higher rents — median is $1,400/mo
Cost of living runs 26% higher than Fargo
Violent crime (525.6/100k) 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
5% lower
498.2 vs 525.6 per 100k
Fargo
Median Home Value
$324k less
$254,900 vs $578,900
Fargo
Unemployment
4.3 pp lower
3.6% vs 7.9% unemployment
South Gate
Median Income
$2,756
$67,188 vs $64,432/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | South Gate, 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 | $578,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,400⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $67,188 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 7.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 32.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% ✓ Higher | 6.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 152⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 138⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | C- (72) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 11.5% |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 58.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Westbrook Academy District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 68.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 82.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" | 14.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 ✓ Larger | 92,381 |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 44.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs South Gate's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 26% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fargo leads 14 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 14 and South Gate 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 South Gate or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $578,900 median home), income ($64,432 vs $67,188), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and South Gate, CA are about 1,427 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.