Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Fargo?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $32,000 in Fargo.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Fargo?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Fargo under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Boise vs Fargo Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $940 in Fargo, ND. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $66,029 in Fargo, ND — about 19% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Fargo, ND

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$671

+34% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$804

+29% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$956

+29% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,368

+22% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$269,800

+41% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$66,029

+19% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$51,050

+4% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

32.2 yr

+6.0 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

44.1%

+18.9 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

43.2%

+3.4 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

15.8 min

+3.3 min in Boise, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

504.9

+68% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

1,135.1

3,726.4

+228% 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

52.5°F

42.4°F

+10.1°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

22.6 in

+10.8 in in Fargo, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Boise, ID

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

13.6

+10% in Fargo, ND

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$11.39

+5% in Fargo, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / ND)

+1.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

2.50%

+2.8 pp in ID

Boise vs Fargo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Fargo?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Fargo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $32,000 in Fargo.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Fargo?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).