HEAD TO HEAD
Bismarck vs Fargo
Fargo leads Bismarck on 3 of 5 factors — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
Bismarck, ND
wins 2 of 5 factors
Fargo, ND
wins 3 of 5 factors
Match scores, side by side
| Factor | Bismarck | Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Affordable to buy | 83 | 85 ◆ |
| Affordable to rent | 83 | 89 ◆ |
| Climate comfort | 20 ◆ | 15 |
| Plenty of sunshine | 43 ◆ | 40 |
| Big-city amenities | 21 | 53 ◆ |
By the numbers
| Figure | Bismarck | Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $357K | $328K |
| Typical rent | $1,325/mo | $1,156/mo |
| Average temperature | 6.4°C | 6.2°C |
| Sunshine (solar) | 4.03 kWh/m²/day | 3.91 kWh/m²/day |
| Metro size rank | #324 | #194 |
Home & rent Zillow, May 2026 · climate & sunshine NASA POWER climatology. Scores are normalised 0–100 across all metros; higher is better. A research aid, not advice.