Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Fargo?

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

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Billings or Fargo?

Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Fargo under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Billings vs Fargo Cost of Living 2026

Billings

Montana

$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 Billings, MT versus $940 in Fargo, ND. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Billings, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,855 in Billings, MT and $66,029 in Fargo, ND — about 8% higher in Billings, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Billings, MT

Fargo, ND

Rent

Studio

$877

$671

+23% in Billings, MT

1 Bedroom

$889

$804

+10% in Billings, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,102

$956

+13% in Billings, MT

3 Bedroom

$1,398

$1,368

+2% in Billings, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$311,800

$269,800

+13% in Billings, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$71,855

$66,029

+8% in Billings, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,060

$51,050

+4% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.1 yr

32.2 yr

+5.9 yr in Billings, MT

Homeownership

64.8%

44.1%

+20.7 pp in Billings, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.0%

43.2%

+6.2 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

16.7 min

15.8 min

+0.9 min in Billings, MT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

750.2

504.9

+33% in Billings, MT

Property Crime

3,123.5

3,726.4

+19% 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

48.2°F

42.4°F

+5.8°F in Billings, MT

Annual Precipitation

13.7 in

22.6 in

+8.9 in in Fargo, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Billings, MT

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.7

13.6

+7% in Billings, MT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$8.77

$11.39

+30% in Fargo, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Billings, MT

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Billings, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Billings, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Billings, MT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MT / ND)

None

+5.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

2.50%

+3.2 pp in MT

Billings vs Fargo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Fargo?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Billings, MT's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Billings than in Fargo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $32,000 in Fargo.
Which has lower taxes, Billings or Fargo?: Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no 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).