Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Fort Worth?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Fort Worth, TX's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $48,000 in Fort Worth.

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Fort Worth?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Fort Worth under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Fargo vs Fort Worth Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$940/mo est.

Fort Worth

Texas

$1,390/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Fargo, ND versus $1,390 in Fort Worth, TX. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Fort Worth, TX, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $76,602 in Fort Worth, TX — about 14% higher in Fort Worth, TX. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Fort Worth, TX

Rent

Studio

$671

$1,310

+95% in Fort Worth, TX

1 Bedroom

$804

$1,191

+48% in Fort Worth, TX

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,393

+46% in Fort Worth, TX

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$1,721

+26% in Fort Worth, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$277,300

+3% in Fort Worth, TX

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$76,602

+16% in Fort Worth, TX

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

$51,440

+1% in Fort Worth, TX

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

33.4 yr

+1.2 yr in Fort Worth, TX

Homeownership

44.1%

56.7%

+12.6 pp in Fort Worth, TX

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

31.7%

+11.5 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

15.8 min

26.9 min

+11.1 min in Fort Worth, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

465.2

+8% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

3,726.4

2,735.7

+27% 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

42.4°F

65.7°F

+23.3°F in Fort Worth, TX

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

36.1 in

+13.5 in in Fort Worth, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Fargo, ND

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

16.4

+21% in Fort Worth, TX

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.39

$30.48

+168% in Fort Worth, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Fargo, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Fort Worth, TX

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Fargo, ND

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / TX)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

None

+2.5 pp in ND

Fargo vs Fort Worth — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Fort Worth?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Fort Worth, TX's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Fort Worth?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $48,000 in Fort Worth.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Fort Worth?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Fort Worth under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% 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).