Living Cost Compare
Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/mo est.

vs
Fargo

North Dakota

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,490 in Chicago, IL versus $940 in Fargo, ND. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $66,029 in Fargo, ND — about 12% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% 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.

Chicago, IL
Fargo, ND

Rent

Studio
$1,186
$671
+43% in Chicago, IL
1 Bedroom
$1,258
$804
+36% in Chicago, IL
2 Bedroom
$1,406
$956
+32% in Chicago, IL
3 Bedroom
$1,554
$1,368
+12% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$315,200
$269,800
+14% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income
$75,134
$66,029
+12% in Chicago, IL
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$54,720
$51,050
+7% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.7 yr
32.2 yr
+3.5 yr in Chicago, IL
Homeownership
45.5%
44.1%
+1.4 pp in Chicago, IL
Bachelor's+ (25+)
43.3%
43.2%
+0.1 pp in Chicago, IL
Avg Commute
33.5 min
15.8 min
+17.7 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
539.8
504.9
+6% in Chicago, IL
Property Crime
3,489.9
3,726.4
+7% 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
52.7°F
42.4°F
+10.3°F in Chicago, IL
Annual Precipitation
38.0 in
22.6 in
+15.4 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.29/gal
$3.94/gal
+8% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.50
—

Adult base one-way fare — CTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.9
13.6
+43% in Chicago, IL
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$15.39
$11.39
+26% in Chicago, IL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / ND)
6.25%
5%
+1.3 pp in IL
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
2.50%
+2.5 pp in IL

Chicago vs Fargo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Fargo?
Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Fargo?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $32,000 in Fargo.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Fargo?
Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% 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).