MoveMap

Moving to Fargo

What you need to know before relocating to Fargo, North Dakota. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.

Is Fargo a Good Place to Live?

Based on data across cost of living, job market, safety, and education, Fargo compares favorably on multiple dimensions. Highlights include rent ($989/mo) is below the national average; low unemployment rate (1.9%) signals a strong job market; violent crime rate (267/100k) is well below the national average.

Fargo at a Glance

Population
263K
Median Income
$72,889
Median Rent
$989/mo
Median Home Price
$287,200
Unemployment
1.9%
Avg Commute
131119 min

Cost of Living in Fargo

The median rent in Fargo is $989/month, while the median home value is $287,200. With a median household income of $72,889, residents spend roughly 16% of monthly income on rent.

Overall, the Fargo metro area is classified as affordable compared to other US metros.

Rent vs. National Avg
29% below
Home Price vs. National Avg
6% below

Job Market

Fargo has a median household income of $72,889, which is 2% below the national median. The local unemployment rate is 1.9%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.

Safety in Fargo

The violent crime rate in Fargo is 267 per 100,000 residents, which is 30% below the national average of 380.

Property crime rate: 1941 per 100,000 residents.

Education in North Dakota

North Dakota has a high school graduation rate of 94% and per-pupil spending of $18,486/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14:1.

39% of North Dakota adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Healthcare Access

North Dakota has 219 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 5.8% uninsured rate, and 4.3 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in North Dakota is 77.9 years.

Pros and Cons of Living in Fargo

+Pros

  • Rent ($989/mo) is below the national average
  • Low unemployment rate (1.9%) signals a strong job market
  • Violent crime rate (267/100k) is well below the national average
  • High school graduation rate of 94%
  • Low uninsured rate (5.8%) and good healthcare access

-Cons

  • Longer-than-average commute (131119 min)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fargo a good place to live?

Fargo, North Dakota has several attributes that make it an attractive place to live, including rent ($989/mo) is below the national average and low unemployment rate (1.9%) signals a strong job market. It scores well on multiple quality-of-life metrics relative to the national average.

What is the cost of living in Fargo?

The median rent in Fargo is $989/month and the median home value is $287,200. The median household income is $72,889. Overall the metro is considered affordable.

Is Fargo safe?

Fargo has a violent crime rate of 267 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

What is the job market like in Fargo?

Fargo has an unemployment rate of 1.9%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $72,889.

Explore More About Fargo