Is it cheaper to live in Burlington or Fargo?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Burlington, VT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in Burlington versus $32,000 in Fargo.

Which has lower taxes, Burlington or Fargo?

Burlington is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).

Burlington vs Fargo Cost of Living 2026

Burlington

Vermont

$1,530/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 $1,530 in Burlington, VT versus $940 in Fargo, ND. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 39% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $68,854 in Burlington, VT and $66,029 in Fargo, ND — about 4% higher in Burlington, VT. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Burlington, VT

Fargo, ND

Rent

Studio

$1,284

$671

+48% in Burlington, VT

1 Bedroom

$1,275

$804

+37% in Burlington, VT

2 Bedroom

$1,731

$956

+45% in Burlington, VT

3 Bedroom

$2,002

$1,368

+32% in Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$400,200

$269,800

+33% in Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income

$68,854

$66,029

+4% in Burlington, VT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,020

$51,050

+15% in Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

26.7 yr

32.2 yr

+5.5 yr in Fargo, ND

Homeownership

39.8%

44.1%

+4.3 pp in Fargo, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

60.5%

43.2%

+17.3 pp in Burlington, VT

Avg Commute

19.2 min

15.8 min

+3.4 min in Burlington, VT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

497.1

504.9

+2% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

4,408.9

3,726.4

+15% in Burlington, VT

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

46.0°F

42.4°F

+3.6°F in Burlington, VT

Annual Precipitation

36.8 in

22.6 in

+14.2 in in Burlington, VT

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)

24.9

13.6

+45% in Burlington, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.31

$11.39

+44% in Burlington, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Burlington, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Burlington, VT

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Burlington, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Burlington, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VT / ND)

+1.0 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

8.75%

2.50%

+6.3 pp in VT

Burlington vs Fargo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Burlington or Fargo?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Burlington, VT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Burlington than in Fargo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in Burlington versus $32,000 in Fargo.
Which has lower taxes, Burlington or Fargo?: Burlington is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).