Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fargo, ND
VS
Westminster, CO
🏆 Westminster leads 12 of 23 categories
Fargo
North Dakota
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,432
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High
Population
127,319 ✓ Larger
Westminster
Colorado
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,651 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
115,502
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fargo, ND
Pros
Rent averages $832/mo less ($900 vs $1,732)
Homes cost $212k less ($254,900 vs $467,200)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Westminster
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.4)
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 91°F
Cons
Median income trails Westminster by $26,219/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
Westminster, CO
Pros
39% less violent crime than Fargo
Households earn $26,219 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 17°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,732/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $467,200
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Fargo
Property crime (3540.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Fargo
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Fargo
Median Home Value
$212k less
$254,900 vs $467,200
Westminster
Median Income
$26,219
$90,651 vs $64,432/yr
Westminster
Violent Crime
39% lower
303.6 vs 498.2 per 100k
Westminster
Summer Heat
9.5°F warmer
July avg high 91.1°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Westminster, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $254,900 ✓ Lower | $467,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $900 ✓ Lower | $1,732⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,432 | $90,651 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 4.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.8 min ✓ Shorter | 26.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 15.7% ✓ 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 | 80 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 176⚠ High | 169⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 42.2% |
| High School or Higher | 95.0% ✓ Higher | 92.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FARGO 1 | Westminster Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 17.3°F | 48.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 91.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7" | 17.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 52.7" ✓ Less | 54.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 127,319 ✓ Larger | 115,502 |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.2% | 63.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 19.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 14.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fargo's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Westminster's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Fargo is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Westminster leads 12 of 23 categories. Fargo wins 11 and Westminster 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 Westminster or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,900 vs $467,200 median home), income ($64,432 vs $90,651), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fargo, ND and Westminster, CO are about 635 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.