Is Fargo expensive to live in?

Fargo is among the more affordable of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $804 per month ranks #103 of 112 and is 26% lower than the $1,080 median.

What is the average rent in Fargo?

Average rent in Fargo, ND runs a studio around $671, a one-bedroom around $804, a two-bedroom around $956, a three-bedroom around $1,368 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Fargo?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $804 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year. The median household income here is $66,029.

How much does it cost to live in Fargo per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Fargo is about $940 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Fargo, ND

Population 129,064 · North Dakota

~$940/mo est.1BR $804Home $269,800

Compare with:

The cost of living in Fargo, ND is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $804 a month — 26% lower than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $671 and two-bedrooms $956.

Median household income here is $66,029, 5% lower than the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $940 before food and transport. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $804

Studio

$671

1 Bedroom

$804

2 Bedroom

$956

3 Bedroom

$1,368

Buying a Home$269,800

Median Home Value

$269,800

Income$66,029

Median Household Income

$66,029

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesMidwest

Milk (gal)

$4.31

Bread (lb)

$1.66

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, Midwest (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities13.6¢/kWh

Electricity

13.6¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$11.39/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.94/gal

Regular Gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2))

$3.94/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (ND)5% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 2.50%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime504.9 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

504.9

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

3,726.4

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Fargo Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 32.2 yrs

Median Age

32.2 yrs

Homeownership

44.1%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

Avg Commute

15.8 min

Climate42.4°F

Avg Annual Temperature

42.4°F

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

Fargo cost of living — FAQ

Is Fargo expensive to live in?: Fargo is among the more affordable of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $804 per month ranks #103 of 112 and is 26% lower than the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Fargo?: Average rent in Fargo, ND runs a studio around $671, a one-bedroom around $804, a two-bedroom around $956, a three-bedroom around $1,368 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Fargo?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $804 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year. The median household income here is $66,029.
How much does it cost to live in Fargo per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Fargo is about $940 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Fargo with nearby cities

Fargo vs Minneapolis Fargo vs St. Paul Fargo vs Sioux Falls Fargo vs Rochester Fargo vs Omaha Fargo vs Des Moines

Nearby cities

Minneapolis, MN 214 mi St. Paul, MN 222 mi Sioux Falls, SD 230 mi Rochester, MN 288 mi Omaha, NE 391 mi Des Moines, IA 398 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.