Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Fargo?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Columbus, GA's $1,080, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $32,000 in Fargo.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Fargo?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% 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).

Columbus vs Fargo Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Columbus, GA versus $940 in Fargo, ND. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $66,029 in Fargo, ND — about 14% higher in Fargo, ND. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Fargo, ND

Rent

Studio

$826

$671

+19% in Columbus, GA

1 Bedroom

$875

$804

+8% in Columbus, GA

2 Bedroom

$991

$956

+4% in Columbus, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,368

+12% in Fargo, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$269,800

+48% in Fargo, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$66,029

+17% in Fargo, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$51,050

+17% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

32.2 yr

+2.9 yr in Columbus, GA

Homeownership

50.2%

44.1%

+6.1 pp in Columbus, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

43.2%

+13.5 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

20.2 min

15.8 min

+4.4 min in Columbus, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

504.9

+18% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,273.4

3,726.4

+64% 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

65.7°F

42.4°F

+23.3°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

22.6 in

+24.2 in in Columbus, GA

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)

15.8

13.6

+14% in Columbus, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$11.39

+66% in Columbus, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Fargo, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Columbus, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Fargo, ND

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / ND)

+1.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

2.50%

+2.7 pp in GA

Columbus vs Fargo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Fargo?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Columbus, GA's $1,080, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Fargo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $32,000 in Fargo.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Fargo?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% 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).