Moving from Green Bay, WI to Fargo, ND
It is 516 mi between Green Bay and Fargo β roughly 9h 43m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
516 mi Β· 9h 43m by car Β· ND β MN β WI
Distance & route
| Route through | ND β MN β WI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, WI 29, MN 27 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, St Paul |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Green Bay | Fargo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.086 | 90.871 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.041 | 77.324 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 95.654 | 100.0 |
| Services | 74.696 | 81.142 | 100.0 |
Green Bay and Fargo sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Fargo run about 2.4% pricier β ZHVI $278,024 β $314,973 (2026-03).
YoY change: Green Bay +5.9%, Fargo +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Green Bay | Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 41Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | -2Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 32.4" | 24.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 44.7Β°F vs 41.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: GREEN BAY BOTANICAL, WI US, FARGO 3S, ND US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Green Bay | Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,585 | 129,064 |
| Median household income | $62,546 | $66,029 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 32.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 29% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.2 |
Households in Fargo earn about 2.4% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Wisconsin 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Fargo more expensive than Green Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fargo is 2.4% lower than Green Bay (90.871 vs 93.086, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Green Bay vs Fargo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,029 in Fargo vs $62,546 in Green Bay β a 5.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fargo compared to Green Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $314,973 in Fargo vs $278,024 in Green Bay β a 13.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fargo, ND from Green Bay, WI?
The driving distance is 516 mi and the route typically takes 9h 43m via I 94 and WI 29. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fargo compare to Green Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,110 in the Fargo MSA vs $47,410 in the Green Bay MSA, on total employment of 145,680 and 171,590 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Green Bay to Fargo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 516 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Green Bay.
City profiles: Green Bay, WI Β· Fargo, ND.