Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Warren, MI
🏆 Warren leads 12 of 23 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
127,319
Warren
Michigan
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$61,633
Violent Crime Index
143⚠ High
Population
138,588 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.8 pts lower (3.6%)
8% less violent crime than Warren
Rent averages $239/mo less ($900 vs $1,139)
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Warren
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
Warren, MI
Pros
Homes cost $86k less ($169,300 vs $254,900)
Milder winters — January highs near 32°F vs 17°F
Cons
Violent crime (541.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.4% vs 3.6%)
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Fargo
Median income trails Fargo by $2,799/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Median Income
$2,799
$64,432 vs $61,633/yr
Fargo
Violent Crime
8% lower
498.2 vs 541.8 per 100k
Fargo
Unemployment
3.8 pp lower
3.6% vs 7.4% unemployment
Warren
Median Home Value
$86k less
$169,300 vs $254,900
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Warren, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 | $169,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,139 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 ✓ Higher | $61,633 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 7.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 25.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 8.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 74 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 19.9% |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 86.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Warren Consolidated Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 32.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 83.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" ✓ Drier | 29.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 27.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 | 138,588 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 71.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 21.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Warren's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Warren leads 12 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 11 and Warren wins 12. 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 Warren or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $169,300 median home), income ($64,432 vs $61,633), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Warren, MI are about 741 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.