Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Fargo?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 66% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $32,000 in Fargo.

Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or Fargo?

Cambridge is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Fargo under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Cambridge vs Fargo Cost of Living 2026

Cambridge

Massachusetts

$2,810/mo est.

Fargo

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,810 in Cambridge, MA versus $960 in Fargo, ND. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 66% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cambridge, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $126,469 in Cambridge, MA and $66,029 in Fargo, ND — about 48% higher in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Cambridge, MA

Fargo, ND

Rent

Studio

$2,236

$671

+70% in Cambridge, MA

1 Bedroom

$2,496

$804

+68% in Cambridge, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,980

$956

+68% in Cambridge, MA

3 Bedroom

$3,325

$1,368

+59% in Cambridge, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$1,040,500

$269,800

+74% in Cambridge, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$126,469

$66,029

+48% in Cambridge, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$51,050

+23% in Cambridge, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

30.5 yr

32.2 yr

+1.7 yr in Fargo, ND

Homeownership

33.7%

44.1%

+10.4 pp in Fargo, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

80.2%

43.2%

+37.0 pp in Cambridge, MA

Avg Commute

26.1 min

15.8 min

+10.3 min in Cambridge, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

436.7

504.9

+16% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

2,657.6

3,726.4

+40% 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

51.5°F

42.4°F

+9.1°F in Cambridge, MA

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

22.6 in

+21.2 in in Cambridge, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.07/gal

$3.85/gal

+5% in Cambridge, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

14.1

+52% in Cambridge, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.66

$18.21

+41% in Cambridge, MA

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 Cambridge, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Cambridge, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Cambridge, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Cambridge, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / ND)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

2.50%

+6.5 pp in MA

Cambridge vs Fargo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Fargo?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 66% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cambridge than in Fargo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $32,000 in Fargo.
Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or Fargo?: Cambridge is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).