Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Torrance, CA
🏆 Torrance leads 14 of 22 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High
Population
127,319
Torrance
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$109,554 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
82 ✓ Safer
Population
145,454 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Homes cost $707k less ($254,900 vs $962,300)
Rent averages $1232/mo less ($900 vs $2,132)
26% cheaper overall cost of living than Torrance
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (3.6%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.4)
Cons
Median income trails Torrance by $45,122/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
Torrance, CA
Pros
Households earn $45,122 more per year on average
38% less violent crime than Fargo
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 17°F
More college-educated — 52.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 76°F vs 82°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $962,300
Higher rents — median is $2,132/mo
Cost of living runs 26% higher than Fargo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
26% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Median Home Value
$707k less
$254,900 vs $962,300
Fargo
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
3.6% vs 5.3% unemployment
Fargo
Summer Heat
6.0°F warmer
July avg high 81.6°F vs 75.6°F
Torrance
Median Income
$45,122
$109,554 vs $64,432/yr
Torrance
Violent Crime
38% lower
311.2 vs 498.2 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Torrance, 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 | $962,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $2,132⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $109,554 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 5.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 27.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 15.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High | 82 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 132⚠ 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 | 25.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% | 52.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% | 95.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Torrance Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 66.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F ✓ Warmer | 75.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" | 13.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 | 145,454 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 42.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 54.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 20.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 17.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Torrance's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 26% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Torrance leads 14 of 22 categories. Fargo wins 8 and Torrance wins 14. 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 Torrance or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $962,300 median home), income ($64,432 vs $109,554), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Torrance, CA are about 1,440 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.