Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Fargo?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Dover, DE's $1,270, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $32,000 in Fargo.

Which has lower taxes, Dover or Fargo?

Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax); Fargo under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Dover vs Fargo Cost of Living 2026

Dover

Delaware

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Dover, DE versus $960 in Fargo, ND. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Dover, DE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $58,336 in Dover, DE and $66,029 in Fargo, ND — about 12% higher in Fargo, ND. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Dover, DE

Fargo, ND

Rent

Studio

$993

$671

+32% in Dover, DE

1 Bedroom

$1,047

$804

+23% in Dover, DE

2 Bedroom

$1,185

$956

+19% in Dover, DE

3 Bedroom

$1,634

$1,368

+16% in Dover, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,500

$269,800

+9% in Fargo, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$58,336

$66,029

+13% in Fargo, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,690

$51,050

+9% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

32.2 yr

+2.9 yr in Dover, DE

Homeownership

47.0%

44.1%

+2.9 pp in Dover, DE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.1%

43.2%

+16.1 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

24.0 min

15.8 min

+8.2 min in Dover, DE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,025.3

504.9

+51% in Dover, DE

Property Crime

6,159.1

3,726.4

+39% in Dover, DE

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

56.9°F

42.4°F

+14.5°F in Dover, DE

Annual Precipitation

46.0 in

22.6 in

+23.5 in in Dover, DE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Dover, DE

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.3

14.1

+27% in Dover, DE

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.73

$18.21

+39% in Dover, DE

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 Dover, DE

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 (DE / ND)

None

+5.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

6.60%

2.50%

+4.1 pp in DE

Dover vs Fargo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Fargo?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Dover, DE's $1,270, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Dover than in Fargo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $32,000 in Fargo.
Which has lower taxes, Dover or Fargo?: Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).