Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Fargo?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Albuquerque, NM's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Fargo?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $32,000 in Fargo.

Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Fargo?

Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Fargo under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Albuquerque vs Fargo Cost of Living 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico

$1,030/mo est.

Fargo

North Dakota

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,030 in Albuquerque, NM versus $940 in Fargo, ND. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Albuquerque, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $66,029 in Fargo, ND — about 1% higher in Fargo, ND. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Albuquerque, NM

Fargo, ND

Rent

Studio

$797

$671

+16% in Albuquerque, NM

1 Bedroom

$889

$804

+10% in Albuquerque, NM

2 Bedroom

$1,140

$956

+16% in Albuquerque, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,459

$1,368

+6% in Albuquerque, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$266,700

$269,800

+1% in Fargo, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$65,604

$66,029

+1% in Fargo, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,060

$51,050

+6% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.7 yr

32.2 yr

+6.5 yr in Albuquerque, NM

Homeownership

61.5%

44.1%

+17.4 pp in Albuquerque, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

43.2%

+4.5 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

22.2 min

15.8 min

+6.4 min in Albuquerque, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,194.3

504.9

+58% in Albuquerque, NM

Property Crime

4,766.6

3,726.4

+22% in Albuquerque, NM

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.2°F

42.4°F

+14.8°F in Albuquerque, NM

Annual Precipitation

9.4 in

22.6 in

+13.1 in in Fargo, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Fargo, ND

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

Free

—

Adult base one-way fare — ABQ RIDE vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

13.6

+4% in Albuquerque, NM

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$11.39

+4% in Albuquerque, NM

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Albuquerque, NM

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Albuquerque, NM

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Albuquerque, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Albuquerque, NM

Average prices — West vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NM / ND)

4.875%

+0.1 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

2.50%

+3.4 pp in NM

Albuquerque vs Fargo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Fargo?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Albuquerque, NM's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Fargo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $32,000 in Fargo.
Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Fargo?: Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Fargo under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).