Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Hartford?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Hartford, CT's $1,300, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Hartford.

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Hartford?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Hartford under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax).

Fargo vs Hartford Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Hartford

Connecticut

$1,300/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Fargo, ND versus $1,300 in Hartford, CT. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hartford, CT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $45,300 in Hartford, CT — about 31% higher in Fargo, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Hartford, CT

Rent

Studio

$671

$973

+45% in Hartford, CT

1 Bedroom

$804

$1,042

+30% in Hartford, CT

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,296

+36% in Hartford, CT

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$1,433

+5% in Hartford, CT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$217,200

+19% in Fargo, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$45,300

+31% in Fargo, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

$59,940

+17% in Hartford, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

33.4 yr

+1.2 yr in Hartford, CT

Homeownership

44.1%

25.7%

+18.4 pp in Fargo, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

18.3%

+24.9 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

15.8 min

22.8 min

+7.0 min in Hartford, CT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

527.5

+4% in Hartford, CT

Property Crime

3,726.4

2,949.2

+21% 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

51.2°F

+8.8°F in Hartford, CT

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

43.6 in

+21.0 in in Hartford, CT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Hartford, CT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

24.3

+72% in Hartford, CT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$23.33

+28% in Hartford, CT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Hartford, CT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Hartford, CT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Hartford, CT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Hartford, CT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / CT)

6.35%

+1.3 pp in CT

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

6.99%

+4.5 pp in CT

Fargo vs Hartford — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Hartford?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Hartford, CT's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Hartford?: 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 Hartford.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Hartford?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Hartford under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% 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).