Thinking about moving back?
Youāre not alone. At some point, a lot of people start wonderingāWould life be better if I moved back?
Thinking about moving back?
Youāre not alone. At some point, a lot of people start wonderingāWould life be better if I moved back? Maybe itās the pull of family, the appeal of owning a home that doesnāt require selling an organ, or the realization that shorter commutes mean more time for, wellā¦ life. Or maybe youāve never lived here before and youāre just curious. Hey, welcome! Stick aroundāyou might like what you find.
Whatever brought you here, youāre probably asking yourself the same question countless others have: Should I make the move? Thereās no one-size-fits-all answer, but our goal is simpleāto give you the information you need to make that decision with clarity and confidence.
Explore your move back to Fargo-Moorhead and remind yourself of everything we have to offer.
A City For Good.
Thinking about moving back?
Fargo isnāt trying to be something itās not. Weāre not a sprawling metropolisābut we are a city that offers stability, opportunity, and a strong sense of community. If youāre looking for a place where you can grow your career, raise a family, and truly feel at home, the greater Fargo-Moorhead area is that place.
Quick Stats & Good, Honest Considerations
#1
City in ND for Job Growth and Finding a JobāØāØ
Fargo, North Dakota, is recognized as the top city for job seekers, boasting a diverse and robust job market.
Ready to land your dream job? ā
Source: US News & World Report (GFM EDC)
18-Min
Commute Time
Fargo-Moorheadās average one-way commute clocks in at 18 minutesā8.4 minutes faster than the national average of 26.4 minutes. That means you’re getting almost 17 minutes back every day, and over the course of a year? That adds up to nearly 73 hours savedāaka three extra days of your life back.
What would you do with three extra days? (Besides not sitting in traffic.)
Source: Best Places
73%
Labor Force Participation
Fargo-Moorheadās labor force participation rate is 73%āwell above the national averageāmeaning more people here are actively working, hiring, and growing. Itās a community of doers, builders, and go-getters.
I guess you can say we truly get stuff done.
Source: GFM EDC
37.7%
Future Job Growth
Fargo is projected to experience a 37.7% job growth from 2020-2050, surpassing the national average of 33.5%.
āNot a bad place to plant roots, eh?
Source: Metro COG or Metro COG Baseline 2050 Demographic Forecast
300k
Median Home Cost
3.0%
Unemployment Rate
As of March 2025, the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area maintains a low unemployment rate, indicating a healthy employment environment.
Say it with us: Job security!
Source: Job Service ND
Fargo vs. National Averages: Whatās It Really Cost?
National Average
Fargo
Gas (per gallon)
$3.08
$2.81
Monthly Utilities
$190
$179
Childcare (infant)
$10,000
$9,100
Date Night
$98
$87
State Income Tax
5.35%-9.85%
2.5%
Auto Insurance
$2,028
$1,164
Temperature
51.9Ā°
40.4Ā°
Commute Time
(one-way)
26.4 minutes
18 minutes
More money in your pocket. More nights out. More time spent on what actually matters.
Numbers as of March 2025. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BestPlaces, Redfin, RentCafe, GasBuddy, ChildCare Aware, IRS, NOAA National Climatic Data Center, and local cost-of-living reports.
The Fargo-Moorhead Resource Hub
Moving back is a big decision. Weāre here to help you weigh your options. These resources answer real questions about life in the Greater Fargo Moorhead Region today.
Job & Career Opportunities
Job Opportunities in the Greater Fargo-Moorhead Area
Salary & Cost of Living Comparison
Top Employers in Fargo - Moorhead
Cost of Living
Cost of Living Calculator
Fargo-Moorhead vs. Your Current City
How Much House Can You Get in Fargo-Moorhead?
Neighborhood & Housing Options
Find Your Perfect Neighborhood
Homeownership vs. Renting in Fargo-Moorhead
Neighborhood Guide: Best Areas for Families, Professionals, and New Builds
Healthcare & Quality of Life
Family-Friendly Amenities & Activities
Top-Ranked Healthcare Facilities in the Greater Fargo-Moorhead Area
Real Stories: Why Families are Choosing Fargo-Moorhead
Social & Community
Connect With an Icebreaker
Nightlife, Dining & Breweries in Fargo-Moorhead (Guide to best places to eat, drink, and unwind)
Fargo-Moorheadās Vibrant Arts & Entertainment Scene (Live music, theater, events)
FAQs: Everything You Actually Want to Know
Housing & Cost of Living
Q: Can I actually afford a house here?
A: Short answerāyes. Long answerāFargo-Moorheadās median home price is $300,000, which is 15% lower than the national average (source). Translation? You can actually buy a place instead of selling your NDSU championship football tickets to afford a down payment.
Q: Whatās the cost of living compared to bigger cities?
A: Letās break it down: Compared to Minneapolis, Denver, or Seattle, your dollars stretch 17ā30% further here. That means a bigger home, fewer roommates, and more room in your budget for things that actually bring you joy. Like patio season. Or Bison tailgating gear. Or weekend lake trips. Or all of the above. (source)
Q: Do I have to live in a snow cave?
A: We wonāt lie, winter happens here. But so does cozy coffee shop culture, a killer hockey scene, and a community that embraces the seasons like a badge of honor. Plus, with a cost of living this good, you can afford a remote starter for your car.
Q: Whatās the best neighborhood to live in?
A: It depends! Are you downtown cool? Suburban chill? Looking for a backyard that screams āsummer BBQsā? Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo each have distinct vibesāand weāve got a guide to help you pick the perfect spot.Ā
Jobs & Career Growth
Q: Are there actually good jobs in Fargo?
A: Yep! Fargo-Moorhead isnāt just a college townāitās a business hub with growing industries in tech, healthcare, engineering, finance, and beyond. Need proof? Weāre projected to grow jobs by 37.7% from 2020-2050, outpacing the national average. (source)Ā
Q: Whatās the unemployment rate?
A: Fargo-Moorheadās unemployment rate is just 3.0% (source). That means job security is strong, hiring is happening, and opportunities are real. Unlike that freshman-year internship you got zero credit for.Ā Ā
Q: Is there really other good jobs that arenāt in agriculture or healthcare?
A: While those industries thrive here, Fargo is a growing hotspot for startups, engineering, finance, bioscience and tech. If you want a solid job in a city where your career (and your budget) can grow, youāre in the right place.Ā
Family, Schools & Raising Kids
Q: Is Fargo-Moorhead a good place to raise a family?
A: Itās basically a parenting cheat code. Great schools, safe neighborhoods, endless kid-friendly activities, and one of the shortest average commute times in the countryāso youāre home in time for dinner and bedtime stories. (source)Ā
Q: How are the schools?
A: Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo all have highly-rated school districts and some of the best student-to-teacher ratios in the region. Thinking of private options? Weāve got those, too.
Q: What is there to actually DO with kids here?
A: Oh, just parks (150+ public parks), trails (100+ miles), zoos, museums, waterparks, indoor play spaces, family-friendly breweries, and more. Plus, youāll never sit in traffic long enough to make them ask, āAre we there yet?ā And when the weekend hits, dozens of lakes are a short drive awayāperfect for swimming, tubing, or casting a line with the kids.
Community, Social Life & Things to Do
Q: Be honestāis there actually enough to do here?
A: Letās keep it real: Fargo isnāt New York, and it doesnāt try to be. But if you think itās just cows and snowdrifts, you havenāt been here in a while. Weāre talking:
ā Live music, big-name concerts, and an indie music scene that thrives.āØ
ā A food and drink scene that punches way above its weight class.āØ
ā Outdoor fun year-roundāfrom lake weekends to winter festivals.āØ
ā UND vs. NDSU rivalry games (we know where your loyalty lies).āØ
ā A community that actually wants you to get involved.
You donāt have to search hard for things to doāyou just have to be willing to say yes when people invite you. And trust us, they will.
Q: How easy is it to get to the lakes from Fargo?
A: Very easy. Fargo is less than an hour from Minnesotaās lake country, with over 100 lakes within driving distance. Detroit Lakes, a popular destination, is just 46 miles awayāabout a 50-minute drive. Other nearby spots like Pelican Lake, Lake Lizzie, and Big Cormorant Lake offer plenty of options for boating, fishing, swimming, or just relaxing on the water. Whether youāre heading out for a day trip or a weekend getaway, lake life is practically in your backyard.Ā
Q: Whatās the deal with the airport?
A: What you probably remember most and best, hasnāt changed: Fargoās airport is a breezeāno mile-long security lines, no fighting for a seat at the gate, and short-term parking that doesnāt cost more than your actual flight. And, theyāre also finishing construction of a major parking ramp, which will bring parking closer (and eliminate the need to dig yourself out of a snowbank after coming back from holiday). But hereās the real game-changer: There are several direct flights to choose from including MSP, and from there, you can be anywhere. Want a weekend in Nashville? Easy. Feeling the Vegas urge? Do it. Always wanted to see Europe? A cheaper mortgage means you can finally make it happen.
Bottom line: With less stress, lower costs, great parking, no airport chaos, those trips you always said youād take actually become realistic.Ā
Q: Will I freeze?
A: Not if you dress right. But also, we embrace the cold with Winter Festivals, curling leagues, outdoor skating rinks, and a strong belief that -10Ā°F is just ābriskā.āØāØAnd yes, we get real wintersābut we also get all four seasons in full color: snowy winters; warm springs; hot summers; and cool, comfortable falls. Itās the kind of year-round variety that keeps things interesting (and keeps your closet well-stocked).Ā
Healthcare
Q: How do Fargo's hospitals rank?
A: Sanford Medical Center Fargo has been recognized as the No. 1 hospital in North Dakota for four consecutive years, earning high-performance ratings in 11 procedures and specialties, including orthopedics and colon cancer surgery. (source) Essentia Health also provides high-quality care with a strong focus on family medicine and specialty services, and the Fargo VA Health Care System offers comprehensive support for veterans across the region. Bottom line: whether itās routine care or something more serious, youāre in good hands here.
What specialties are available in Fargo?
A: Fargo offers a wide range of medical specialties, including:ā
- Orthopedics: Comprehensive bone and joint care.ā
- Cardiology: Advanced heart care services.ā
- Oncology: Specialized cancer treatment centers.ā
- Neurology: Expert care for neurological conditions.āĀ
Ditch the Fluff
Q: How cold are the winters, really?
A: Cold. Like, really cold. But you already know this. Fargo winters mean subzero wind chills, snow that sticks around for months, and ice scrapers as a permanent fixture in your car. But hereās the thingāyou get used to it. Youāll invest in a quality winter coat, master the art of layering, and figure out that heated steering wheels are a game-changer. Plus, you wonāt have to deal with hurricanes, earthquakes, or cockroaches the size of your fistāso, thereās that.Ā
Q: Is there diversity in Fargo?
A: Yes, and itās still growing. Fargoās international population has increased in recent years, and youāll find a range of cultural festivals, global cuisine, and community groups that celebrate different backgrounds. That said, itās still a predominantly white, Midwestern cityāso if youāre moving from a major metro, you might notice a difference. Predominantly doesnāt mean only, though, of course. If you would be adding to our diversity, we think youāll quickly find there are many others who look just like you. The good news? People here are (mostly) welcoming and open-minded, and Fargo is actively working to create a more inclusive community. Plus, if youāre looking for a city where you can actually make an impact and help shape its future, this is a place where you can do that.
Q: Will I miss big-city amenities?
A: Depends on what youāre into. If youāre expecting Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury shopping districts, or a massive public transit system, you might be out of luck. But if you want craft breweries, great local coffee, an underrated food scene, and a surprisingly good live music lineup, youāll be pleasantly surprised. And letās be honestāwith the money you save on rent here, you can afford to fly to bigger cities when you need your fix.Ā
Q: Howās the job market, really?
A: Fargoās unemployment rate is insanely low (as you probably read above), and job growth is outpacing the national average. So, yeahāthere are jobs. But if youāre in super niche fields like high fashion, film production, or deep-sea diving (not a thing here, obviously), you might not find exactly what youāre looking for. That said, remote work is thriving, and Fargoās affordability makes it a great place to live even if your company is based elsewhere.Ā Ā
Q: What if I donāt like sports?
A: We wonāt lieāthis is Bison Country. If you donāt care about NDSU football, you might feel a little left out during game days. But thereās plenty else to doāfrom live theater to curling leagues (yes, really), art galleries, and a growing tech scene. So, while you might not escape football talk entirely, you wonāt be forced to wear green and gold (unless you go to a tailgate, then, wellā¦ good luck).
Q: Are there any weird Fargo quirks I should know about?
A: Oh, absolutely. A few to get you started:
- People will stop and talk to you in the grocery store. Not because they know youājust because thatās how it is.
- The term āhot dishā is sacred. Donāt call it a casserole.
- Winter parking rules are a whole thing. Miss a snow emergency announcement, and youāll be digging your car out of a plow drift.
- Nobody honks their horn. Seriously, itās weird.
- Speaking of hot dish, thereās an entire festival dedicated to it. And yes, itās amazing.
Wrap Up
Q: Okay, but should I move back?
A: Thatās up to you. No city is perfect, and Fargo-Moorhead isnāt trying to be. But hereās what we do know:
If you want a thriving job market, a cost of living that actually lets you save for the future, and a community where people remember your name (and probably your dogās name, too)āthen yeah, itās worth considering.
If youāre looking for a place where you donāt waste half your life sitting in traffic, where your career can grow, and where you can actually afford a home instead of a shoebox apartmentāthis might be the right move.
If you want a place where you can build something meaningful, whether itās a career, a family, or a life that feels balanced and fulfilling, then maybe it’s time to come back For Good.
And hey, worst case? You give it a shot, donāt love it, and move again. But best case? You find exactly what youāve been looking forāright where you started.
