Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Fargo?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $32,000 in Fargo.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Fargo?

Augusta 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).

Augusta vs Fargo Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Augusta, GA versus $940 in Fargo, ND. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $66,029 in Fargo, ND — about 20% higher in Fargo, ND. 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.

Augusta, GA

Fargo, ND

Rent

Studio

$784

$671

+14% in Augusta, GA

1 Bedroom

$916

$804

+12% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$956

+8% in Augusta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,368

+11% in Fargo, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$269,800

+66% in Fargo, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$66,029

+24% in Fargo, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$51,050

+11% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

32.2 yr

+2.7 yr in Augusta, GA

Homeownership

50.9%

44.1%

+6.8 pp in Augusta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

43.2%

+19.0 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

20.6 min

15.8 min

+4.8 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

504.9

+8% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

3,726.4

+2% 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

65.2°F

42.4°F

+22.8°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

22.6 in

+24.0 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Fargo, ND

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

13.6

+14% in Augusta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$11.39

+66% in Augusta, 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 Augusta, 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

Augusta vs Fargo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Fargo?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Fargo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $32,000 in Fargo.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Fargo?: Augusta 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).