Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Fargo leads 12 of 23 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
127,319
Washington
District of Columbia
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,722 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Homes cost $450k less ($254,900 vs $705,000)
Rent averages $917/mo less ($900 vs $1,817)
46% less violent crime than Washington
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.5 pts lower (3.6%)
Commutes run 15 min shorter each way
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Washington
Cons
Median income trails Washington by $37,290/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
Washington, DC
Pros
Households earn $37,290 more per year on average
More college-educated — 62.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 17°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $705,000
Higher rents — median is $1,817/mo
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Fargo
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Violent Crime
46% lower
498.2 vs 925.9 per 100k
Fargo
Median Home Value
$450k less
$254,900 vs $705,000
Fargo
Unemployment
3.5 pp lower
3.6% vs 7.1% unemployment
Washington
Median Income
$37,290
$101,722 vs $64,432/yr
Washington
Summer Heat
8.2°F warmer
July avg high 89.8°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 108.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 ✓ Lower | $705,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,817⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $101,722 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 244⚠ 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) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 92.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 44.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 89.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" ✓ Drier | 45.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 9.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 41.4% |
| Under 18 | 19.4% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fargo leads 12 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 12 and Washington wins 11. 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 Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $705,000 median home), income ($64,432 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Washington, DC are about 1,139 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.