Moving from St. Paul, MN to Fargo, ND
Moving from St. Paul, MN to Fargo, ND covers 246 mi and about 4h 34m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
246 mi · 4h 34m by car · MN → ND
Distance & route
| Route through | MN → ND |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, US 10, I 35E |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | Fargo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 90.871 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 77.324 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 95.654 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 81.142 | 100.0 |
Fargo is 13.3% cheaper than St. Paul overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul —, Fargo +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | St. Paul | Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47°F | 41°F |
| January avg low | 9°F | -2°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 24.4" |
Fargo is 5.1°F cooler on the annual average (46.5°F vs 41.4°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, FARGO 3S, ND US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 129,064 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $66,029 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 32.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 29% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Fargo is 13.3% below St. Paul ($73,055 → $66,029, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fargo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,060 | $45,140 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,080 | $44,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,700 | $37,800 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,330 | $30,550 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,860 | $73,380 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and North Dakota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Dakota's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Fargo compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,110 in the Fargo MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 145,680 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Fargo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 246 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fargo more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fargo is 13.3% lower than St. Paul (90.871 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fargo, ND from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 246 mi and the route typically takes 4h 34m via I 94 and US 10. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in St. Paul vs Fargo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,029 in Fargo vs $73,055 in St. Paul — a 9.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN · Fargo, ND.