Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Fresno?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Fresno, CA's $1,370, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Fresno?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Fresno under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax).

Fargo vs Fresno Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$940/mo est.

Fresno

California

$1,370/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Fargo, ND versus $1,370 in Fresno, CA. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Fresno, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $66,804 in Fresno, CA — about 1% higher in Fresno, CA. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Fresno, CA

Rent

Studio

$671

$1,072

+60% in Fresno, CA

1 Bedroom

$804

$1,042

+30% in Fresno, CA

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,293

+35% in Fresno, CA

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$1,688

+23% in Fresno, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$348,500

+29% in Fresno, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$66,804

+1% in Fresno, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

$46,910

+8% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

32.4 yr

+0.2 yr in Fresno, CA

Homeownership

44.1%

49.7%

+5.6 pp in Fresno, CA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

24.9%

+18.3 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

15.8 min

22.3 min

+6.5 min in Fresno, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

742.2

+47% in Fresno, CA

Property Crime

3,726.4

3,335.3

+10% 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

64.4°F

+22.0°F in Fresno, CA

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

11.5 in

+11.1 in in Fargo, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.40/gal

+37% in Fresno, CA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs California.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

33.3

+144% in Fresno, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.39

$20.72

+82% in Fresno, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Fresno, CA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Fresno, CA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Fresno, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Fresno, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / CA)

7.25%

+2.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

13.30%

+10.8 pp in CA

Fargo vs Fresno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Fresno?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Fresno, CA's $1,370, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Fresno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $42,000 in Fresno.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Fresno?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Fresno under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% 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).