Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Honolulu?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 56% below Honolulu, HI's $2,160, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $63,000 in Honolulu.

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Honolulu?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Honolulu under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Fargo vs Honolulu Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$940/mo est.

Honolulu

Hawaii

$2,160/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Fargo, ND versus $2,160 in Honolulu, HI. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 56% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Honolulu, HI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $85,428 in Honolulu, HI — about 23% higher in Honolulu, HI. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Honolulu, HI

Rent

Studio

$671

$1,390

+107% in Honolulu, HI

1 Bedroom

$804

$1,570

+95% in Honolulu, HI

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,983

+107% in Honolulu, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$2,433

+78% in Honolulu, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$834,100

+209% in Honolulu, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$85,428

+29% in Honolulu, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

$57,220

+12% in Honolulu, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

42.9 yr

+10.7 yr in Honolulu, HI

Homeownership

44.1%

48.6%

+4.5 pp in Honolulu, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

40.8%

+2.4 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

15.8 min

22.3 min

+6.5 min in Honolulu, HI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

214.1

+58% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

3,726.4

1,919.8

+48% 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

77.7°F

+35.3°F in Honolulu, HI

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

17.1 in

+5.5 in in Fargo, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.09/gal

+29% in Honolulu, HI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$3.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

52.0

+282% in Honolulu, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.39

$70.84

+522% in Honolulu, HI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Honolulu, HI

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Honolulu, HI

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Honolulu, HI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Honolulu, HI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / HI)

+1.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

11.00%

+8.5 pp in HI

Fargo vs Honolulu — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Honolulu?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 56% below Honolulu, HI's $2,160, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Honolulu?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $63,000 in Honolulu.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Honolulu?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Honolulu under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% 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).