Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Las Cruces?

They're close. Fargo, ND runs about $940 a month and Las Cruces, NM about $940 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Las Cruces?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Las Cruces under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax).

Fargo vs Las Cruces Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$940/mo est.

Las Cruces

New Mexico

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Fargo, ND versus $940 in Las Cruces, NM. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM — about 16% higher in Fargo, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Las Cruces, NM

Rent

Studio

$671

$597

+11% in Fargo, ND

1 Bedroom

$804

$793

+1% in Fargo, ND

2 Bedroom

$956

$888

+7% in Fargo, ND

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$1,177

+14% in Fargo, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$217,400

+19% in Fargo, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$55,176

+16% in Fargo, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

$42,070

+18% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

32.7 yr

+0.5 yr in Las Cruces, NM

Homeownership

44.1%

55.6%

+11.5 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

37.3%

+5.9 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

15.8 min

18.7 min

+2.9 min in Las Cruces, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

726

+44% in Las Cruces, NM

Property Crime

3,726.4

4,899.2

+31% in Las Cruces, NM

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

58.8°F

+16.4°F in Las Cruces, NM

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Fargo, ND

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

14.1

+4% in Las Cruces, NM

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.39

$11.90

+4% in Las Cruces, NM

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Las Cruces, NM

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Las Cruces, NM

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Las Cruces, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Las Cruces, NM

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / NM)

4.875%

+0.1 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

5.90%

+3.4 pp in NM

Fargo vs Las Cruces — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Las Cruces?: They're close. Fargo, ND runs about $940 a month and Las Cruces, NM about $940 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Las Cruces?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Las Cruces?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Las Cruces under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% 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).