Is it cheaper to live in Cheyenne or Fargo?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Cheyenne, WY's $980, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cheyenne versus $32,000 in Fargo.

Which has lower taxes, Cheyenne or Fargo?

Cheyenne is taxed under Wyoming's rules (no state income tax 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).

Cheyenne vs Fargo Cost of Living 2026

Cheyenne

Wyoming

$980/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 $980 in Cheyenne, WY versus $940 in Fargo, ND. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cheyenne, WY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,176 in Cheyenne, WY and $66,029 in Fargo, ND — about 14% higher in Cheyenne, WY. Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Cheyenne, WY

Fargo, ND

Rent

Studio

$756

$671

+11% in Cheyenne, WY

1 Bedroom

$824

$804

+2% in Cheyenne, WY

2 Bedroom

$1,036

$956

+8% in Cheyenne, WY

3 Bedroom

$1,478

$1,368

+7% in Cheyenne, WY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$311,200

$269,800

+13% in Cheyenne, WY

Income

Median Household Income

$77,176

$66,029

+14% in Cheyenne, WY

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,540

$51,050

+1% in Cheyenne, WY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.9 yr

32.2 yr

+6.7 yr in Cheyenne, WY

Homeownership

67.7%

44.1%

+23.6 pp in Cheyenne, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.9%

43.2%

+10.3 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

16.1 min

15.8 min

+0.3 min in Cheyenne, WY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

334.6

504.9

+51% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

3,030.3

3,726.4

+23% 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

46.5°F

42.4°F

+4.1°F in Cheyenne, WY

Annual Precipitation

15.9 in

22.6 in

+6.6 in in Fargo, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Cheyenne, WY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.8

13.6

+8% in Cheyenne, WY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$13.31

$11.39

+14% in Cheyenne, WY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Cheyenne, WY

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Cheyenne, WY

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Cheyenne, WY

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Cheyenne, WY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WY / ND)

+1.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

None

2.50%

+2.5 pp in ND

Cheyenne vs Fargo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cheyenne or Fargo?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Cheyenne, WY's $980, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cheyenne than in Fargo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cheyenne versus $32,000 in Fargo.
Which has lower taxes, Cheyenne or Fargo?: Cheyenne is taxed under Wyoming's rules (no state income tax 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).