Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Idaho Falls?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Idaho Falls, ID's $970, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Idaho Falls?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Fargo vs Idaho Falls Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Fargo, ND versus $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Idaho Falls, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 5% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio

$671

$818

+22% in Idaho Falls, ID

1 Bedroom

$804

$827

+3% in Idaho Falls, ID

2 Bedroom

$956

$957

+0% in Idaho Falls, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$1,278

+7% in Fargo, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$298,600

+11% in Idaho Falls, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$69,630

+5% in Idaho Falls, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

$46,800

+8% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

33.5 yr

+1.3 yr in Idaho Falls, ID

Homeownership

44.1%

64.1%

+20.0 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

31.0%

+12.2 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

15.8 min

18.2 min

+2.4 min in Idaho Falls, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

365.3

+28% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

3,726.4

1,235.5

+67% 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

44.2°F

+1.8°F in Idaho Falls, ID

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

10.4 in

+12.2 in in Fargo, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.4

+2% in Idaho Falls, ID

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$11.33

+38% in Fargo, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Idaho Falls, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / ID)

+1.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

5.30%

+2.8 pp in ID

Fargo vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Idaho Falls?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Idaho Falls, ID's $970, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Idaho Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Idaho Falls?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).