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When you are serious about moving to Fargo, North Dakota, you may be curious to know how living in the city will be. You may come across different opinions and suggestions, especially related to living costs, safety, education, jobs, and lifestyle. However, most of the information would be contradicting, putting you in a more confused state. But luckily, our Fargo moving guide is there for your rescue

You’ll find every piece of information related to every aspect of Fargo, a mid-sized city in eastern North Dakota that shares a border with Minnesota along the Red River. The city is a great place to work and live. It scores high in many index lists and embraces every newcomer wholeheartedly.

Here’s all you need to know about Fargo, North Dakota before you make the final call.

QuickFacts

Quick facts to know before you move to Fargo

  • Fargo experiences long, cold and snowy winters
  • The city promises high standard education for all residents
  • Fargo has an agro-based economy
  • Retail, healthcare, and food processing also contribute highly to the city economy
  • The city is a major transport hub, making it easy to commute within and outside Fargo
  • The city is rich in culture and festivals take place year around
  • Fargo is isolated from large cities
  • The city has a high crime rate
  • The living cost is low here
  • In Fargo, most stores will be closed on Sunday till noon

Top 10 things to know before moving to Fargo

  • About 47% of the population owns home in Fargo
  • Weather is severe in Fargo, be it in summer or winter
  • In winter, night temperatures drop below zero over 40 nights per year
  • The city experiences all four seasons
  • Tornadoes, thunderstorms, and earthquakes are common
  • The job growth is not positive here
  • Despite being an agrarian economy, Fargo’s job market is highly diverse
  • Plenty of recreational activities are available, especially outdoors
  • Fargo is big on arts and is home to many museums
  • Both property crime and violent crime rates are higher in Fargo than the US average

Is Fargo, ND a good place to live?

Fargo takes pride in its splendid outdoor and spectacular green spaces complemented with a list of amazing festivals spread across the calendar. The state also boasts of a strong and diverse economy and this ensures that you have a comfortable life, both professionally and personally. Even the living cost at Fargo is much lower than the national average. Moving to Fargo, you are sure to have a life more comfortable than at the previous place.

What’s it like to live in Fargo, ND?

A city with a strong cultural base, Fargo is home to many art museums and also hosts several art festivals around the year. The city in North Dakota is also pristine with many outdoor recreation options. This means, you live in a city where there is no scarcity of fun and entertainment. Living in the city, you’ll realize that the economy is strong and diverse, which means it is easier to find a job in Fargo than most of the North Dakota cities. However, crime rate is the only major concern in Fargo.

Is Fargo racially diverse?

Fargo has a majority white population (81%) but the racial diversity is also strong here. About 7.83% of the residents in Fargo belong to Black or African American community while 4.12% are Asians and 2.31% are Non-Hispanics. This means, almost every race has a strong presence in Fargo and irrespective of your racial background, you will be welcomed here.

Is it expensive to live in Fargo, ND?

Considering the cost for gas, groceries, utilities, and transport, Fargo is little more expensive than the rest of North Dakota cities. Moving to Fargo, you may need to spend approximately $1,598 which makes the city in the top 26% of the expensive cities in the world. However, the cost of living here is much lower than the US average. You can purchase a home at a cost 17% lower than the national average. Similarly, the utilities in this North Dakota city cost 9% lower than the US average.

What’s the population of Fargo?

The city of Fargo has a population of 125,990, as per the 2020 census. The population density was 2,162.0 inhabitants per square mile. The Fargo metro area population is 252,136, making it the 192nd most populated metro area in the US. The median age in Fargo is 30.3, the US median age is 37.4 and there are 9,956 housing units in the city limits.

To know more about the city population, here is a quick breakdown

  • Fargo’s total population is 125,990
  • The population is made up of 50.6% males and 49.4% females
  • The median age in Fargo is 30.3
  • The city population is made up of 84.5% White, 5.4% Black or African American, 3.5% Asian, 1.1% Native American, and 2.5% from two or more races
  • The median household size in Fargo is 2.2 persons
  • About 42% of the residents in Fargo are married and 33.8% of the married people have children

How fast can you commute in Fargo, ND?

While residing at Fargo, you’d spend less time on the road as the average commuting time in Fargo is much lower than the national average. The average one-way commute in Fargo takes 15.0 minutes against the US average of 26.4 minutes.

Here’s how people in Fargo commute on a daily basis

  • About 82.8% drive their own car alone
  • About 8.0% carpool with others
  • About 2.9% work from home
  • Approximately 1.2% take mass transit

Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Fargo, ND.

How is the weather like in Fargo, ND?

Fargo has an extreme humid continental climate where winters are extremely cold and harsh and summers are hot and humid. The most pleasant months in Fargo are June, July and August. It is good to know the important aspects of weather in Fargo before you pack your bags.

  • The city receives about 24 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year
  • On average, it snows49 inches per year in Fargo. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year
  • On average, the city gets about 200 sunny days per year against the US average of 205 sunny days
  • The city receives some kind of precipitation, on average, 99 days per year in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail
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Top reasons to move to Fargo, ND

You would have noticed that a lot of people are moving to Fargo. Have you ever wondered why? We’ve got the reasons

  • Affordable living cost
  • Lots of parks
  • Friendly people
  • Jobs
  • Festivals year around
  • Good healthcare
pros and cons of Fargo

Pros & Cons of moving to Fargo

Moving to Fargo has got its own share of merits and demerits. It is vital you know them before making the final call. Here is a list of pros and cons of moving to Fargo.

Pros of living in Fargo
  • Low cost of living
  • Relatively diverse neighborhoods
  • Good and pristine outdoors
  • Diverse economy
  • Jobs of different types are available
  • Friendly population
  • All 4 seasons are there
Cons of living in Fargo
  • Crime rate
  • Earthquakes, tornadoes, and storms are common
  • Extreme weather
  • Low sunshine days

Best neighborhoods in Fargo

Rank City Population Home Value
1 Longfellow 2,625 $292,961
2 Rose Creek 832 $440,300
3 Southpointe 4,060 $244,316
4 Stonebridge 5,058 $236,000
5 Lincoln 1,690 $239,256
6 Horace Mann 2,286 $176,982
7 Centennial 2,435 $288,380
8 Pointe West 2,834 $225,954
9 Woodhaven 2,432 $333,282
10 Trollwood 2,497 $110,509

Cost of living in Fargo, ND

If you are concerned about living costs in Fargo, you can smile as the living cost here is 6% lower than the national average.

The average cost of living in Fargo is $1,598, which though places the city among the expensive cities in the US is lower than most of the large neighboring cities in North Dakota and outside

Fargo is 84.5% cheaper than San Francisco, 54.5% cheaper than Washington DC, 78.8% cheaper than New York City, and 49.4% cheaper than Boston

The following is a simple breakdown of the key elements that make up the city’s cost of living since you’re considering moving to Fargo.

Living Expense Fargo North Dakota National Average
Overall 91.9 89.9 100
Grocery 99.5 95.1 100
Health 85.5 92.4 100
Housing 96.4 88.5 100
Median home cost $252,900 $240,200 $291,700
Utilities 92.3 89.4 100
Transportation 77.3 74.4 100
Miscellaneous 98.3 108.3 100

How is the job market in Fargo, North Dakota?

Those who are moving to Fargo for job purposes may not like the fact that Fargo’s job growth is negative. Despite the diverse economy, the city may not be a good choice if job is the sole reason for moving.

Here are a few job stats in Fargo which you may find helpful

  • Fargo records a negative job growth
  • Jobs have decreased by 1.0% over the past year
  • The average salary in Fargo is $46,311
  • The unemployment rate in Fargo is 3.6%, much lower than the national average of 6.0%
Employment Information Fargo, North Dakota United States
The income per Cap $31,866 $31,177
Household Income $50,561 $57,652
Unemployment Rate 3.6 6.0%
Recent Job Growth -1.50% -6.18%
Future Job Growth 38.71% 33.51%

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Fastest growing jobs in Fargo, ND

Despite the negative job growth, there are a few jobs that are fast growing in Fargo. And if you are still serious about moving here, the following list of the 5 fastest growing jobs in Fargo and nearby areas in North Dakota will benefit you.

Rank Job Title Growth % Average Salary
1 Personal care assistant 131.3% $31,890
2 Emergency medical technician 130.1% $31,960
3 Software developer 129.1% $79,820
4 Home health aid 128.0% $33,170
5 Registered nurse 124.4% $60,840

Top career options in Fargo, North Dakota

Though it is true that Fargo’s job market is not showing positive signs, you may be still keen to relocate to the city. And you may also be keen to know the jobs that provide hefty paychecks. Do not worry as we’ve got a list of 10 top paying jobs

Rank Job Title Average Salary Entry level salary
1 Physicians and Surgeons, All Other $236,560 $151,250
2 Dentists, General $211,360 $118,550
3 Family and General Practitioners $204,120 $162,520
4 Chief Executives $181,120 $81,160
5 Education Administrators, Postsecondary $128,340 $51,730
6 Business Teachers, Postsecondary $128,030 $55,410
7 Computer and Information Systems Managers $114,400 $71,240
8 Medical and Health Services Managers $113,910 $55,980
9 Financial Managers $113,390 $66,550
10 Architectural and Engineering Managers $112,750 $79,780

What's the average salary & income in Fargo, North Dakota?

In Fargo, a good salary is $52,537, which may be higher than in many neighboring cities as the cost of living is also higher here. To help you get an idea about how much you need to earn to have a decent living in Fargo, we’ve collated the figures below.

  • Fargo’s average annual pay for average jobs is $52.537 a year
  • Fargo’s average hourly pay for average jobs is $21.63 an hour
  • Fargo’s average weekly pay for average jobs is $865 per week
  • Fargo’s average monthly pay for average jobs is $3,750 per month
  • Fargo’s top earners (90th percentile) make $81,607 annually

Best companies to work for if you’re moving to Fargo, ND

As you reach Fargo, you'll be on the process of the job hunt, and having an idea about the companies with a good reputation will help you a lot. Here are the 10 best companies to work for in Fargo.

  • Noridian Mutual Insurance CompanyTMI Hospitality
  • Scheels
  • The City of Fargo
  • Eide Bailly
  • Noridian Administrative Services, Llc
  • Border States
  • Shazzam Inc
  • Fargo Public Schools
  • Flexmls Platform by FBS

Major industries in Fargo

While preparing to relocate to Fargo, knowing the major industries here will help you decide whether finding a suitable job would be easier or not. Here’s a list of major industries in Fargo

  • Hospitality
  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Finance

How is the housing market of Fargo, ND?

In Fargo, the housing costs are much higher than the state average and hence, most people stay on rent. Only 47.7% of the population owns a house here while about 52.3% stay on rent. Knowing a little more about the housing market will give you an idea about residential facilities in Fargo. And we’ve collated a few housing stats for you

  • Fargo’s median home cost is $252,900
  • The median age of Fargo real estate is 31 years old
  • The city’s home appreciation in the last 10 years has been 39.4%
  • Renters make up 52.3% of the Fargo population
  • About 4.3% of houses and apartments in Fargo are available to rent

Average rental prices in Fargo, ND

You would need a home on rent as soon as you reach Fargo. This is crucial when you are moving with the family. And having an idea about home rental in advance would make things easier

  • Fargo’s average rent for a studio apartment is $580
  • Fargo’s average rent for 1-bedroom home or apartment is $685
  • Fargo’s average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $834
  • Fargo’s average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $1,185
  • Fargo’s average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is $1,428

North Dakota tax info

Knowing the different taxes levied by the administration in Fargo is crucial as they decide how much you save a month.

To help you, we’ve listed down the highlights of state tax in Fargo, North Dakota.

  • The sales tax rate for Fargo is 7.5%. The US average is 7.3%.
  • The Income Tax Rate for Fargo is 2.0%. The US average is 4.6%
  • The average property tax rate in Fargo, North Dakota is 0.99%

What are the best things to do in Fargo, North Dakota?

Fargo is one of the most beautiful places in North Dakota. Moving here, you’ll have no shortage of fun and entertainment.

Here are the 10 best things that will keep you busy and engaged during your stay in Fargo.

  • Appreciate arts at Plains Art Museum
  • Explore culture at Roger Maris Museum
  • Catch a movie or event at the Fargo Theater
  • Delve into aviation history at Fargo Air Museum
  • Visit Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center
  • Stroll at Red River Zoo
  • Take the Kids to the Children's Museum at Yunker Farm
  • Visit Lindenwood Park
  • Taste wine at Drekker Brewery
  • Explore the Bonanzaville USA History Museum

How safe is Fargo, ND?

Safety is a crucial factor in residing at any place. And Fargo unfortunately does not rank high in safety. The city records a large number of crime cases, which seriously impact the safety of the residents. Here, we’ve got the latest crime data, based on which you can decide whether to move to Fargo.

  • The rate of crime in Fargo is 4.65 per 1,000 residents during a standard year
  • The violent crime rate in Fargo is 26.5. The U.S. average is 22.7
  • The property crime rate in Fargo is 43.0. The U.S. average is 35.4
  • Fargo is safer than 8% of US cities
  • Residents have a 1 in 215 chance of being the victim of a violent crime
  • Residents have a 1 in 28 chance of being the victim of a property crime
  • About 65% of the residents feel safe in Fargo

Tip:Often, you feel like calculating the moving cost before you connect with a moving company. To help you, we've got a free moving cost calculator.

What are the top schools in Fargo, ND?

You may be highly concerned about your child’s education while moving to a new place and fortunately, that won’t be an issue at Fargo at all.

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