Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Fargo?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $32,000 in Fargo.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Fargo?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Fargo under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Fargo Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/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 $1,780 in Atlanta, GA versus $940 in Fargo, ND. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 47% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $66,029 in Fargo, ND — about 19% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Fargo, ND

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$671

+60% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$804

+49% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$956

+44% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,368

+12% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$269,800

+36% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$66,029

+19% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$51,050

+0% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

32.2 yr

+1.8 yr in Atlanta, GA

Homeownership

46.3%

44.1%

+2.2 pp in Atlanta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

43.2%

+15.2 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

15.8 min

+11.0 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

504.9

+16% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

3,726.4

+5% in Fargo, ND

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

62.6°F

42.4°F

+20.2°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

22.6 in

+27.1 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Fargo, ND

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

13.6

+14% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$11.39

+66% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Fargo, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Atlanta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Fargo, ND

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / ND)

+1.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

2.50%

+2.7 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Fargo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Fargo?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Fargo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $32,000 in Fargo.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Fargo?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).