Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Waukegan, IL
🏆 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
Population
127,319 ✓ Larger
Waukegan
Illinois
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$66,077 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
117⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
89,435
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Rent averages $232/mo less ($900 vs $1,132)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (3.6%)
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Waukegan
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.4)
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
Waukegan, IL
Pros
Homes cost $91k less ($164,400 vs $254,900)
11% less violent crime than Fargo
Milder winters — January highs near 30°F vs 17°F
Cons
Violent crime (445.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Fargo
Higher unemployment (5.3% vs 3.6%)
Snowy winters — about 43" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
3.6% vs 5.3% unemployment
Waukegan
Median Income
$1,645
$66,077 vs $64,432/yr
Waukegan
Violent Crime
11% lower
445.2 vs 498.2 per 100k
Waukegan
Median Home Value
$91k less
$164,400 vs $254,900
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Waukegan, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 | $164,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,132 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $66,077 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 5.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 26.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% ✓ Higher | 5.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 149⚠ High | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High | 117⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 77 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | B- (96) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 12.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 21.5% |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 77.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Waukegan CUSD 60 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 29.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 81.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" ✓ Drier | 35.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" | 43.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 ✓ Larger | 89,435 |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 48.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 25.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Waukegan's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fargo leads 12 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 12 and Waukegan 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 Waukegan or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $164,400 median home), income ($64,432 vs $66,077), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Waukegan, IL are about 539 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.