Living Cost Compare
Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/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 $1,020 in Des Moines, IA versus $940 in Fargo, ND. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Des Moines, IA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $66,029 in Fargo, ND — about 3% higher in Fargo, ND. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA
Fargo, ND

Rent

Studio
$870
$671
+23% in Des Moines, IA
1 Bedroom
$870
$804
+8% in Des Moines, IA
2 Bedroom
$1,099
$956
+13% in Des Moines, IA
3 Bedroom
$1,334
$1,368
+3% in Fargo, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$183,700
$269,800
+47% in Fargo, ND

Income

Median Household Income
$63,966
$66,029
+3% in Fargo, ND
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$51,050
+1% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.6 yr
32.2 yr
+2.4 yr in Des Moines, IA
Homeownership
60.4%
44.1%
+16.3 pp in Des Moines, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
29.0%
43.2%
+14.2 pp in Fargo, ND
Avg Commute
19.6 min
15.8 min
+3.8 min in Des Moines, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
707.3
504.9
+29% in Des Moines, IA
Property Crime
3,156.6
3,726.4
+18% 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
50.9°F
42.4°F
+8.5°F in Des Moines, IA
Annual Precipitation
36.0 in
22.6 in
+13.4 in in Des Moines, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.1
13.6
+4% in Des Moines, IA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$15.72
$11.39
+28% in Des Moines, IA

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 (IA / ND)
6%
5%
+1.0 pp in IA
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
2.50%
+1.3 pp in IA

Des Moines vs Fargo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Fargo?
Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Des Moines, IA's $1,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Fargo?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $32,000 in Fargo.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Fargo?
Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).