Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Little Rock?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Little Rock, AR's $1,080, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $36,000 in Little Rock.

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Little Rock?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Little Rock under Arkansas's (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Fargo vs Little Rock Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$940/mo est.

Little Rock

Arkansas

$1,080/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Fargo, ND versus $1,080 in Little Rock, AR. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Little Rock, AR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $60,583 in Little Rock, AR — about 8% higher in Fargo, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Little Rock, AR

Rent

Studio

$671

$981

+46% in Little Rock, AR

1 Bedroom

$804

$904

+12% in Little Rock, AR

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,064

+11% in Little Rock, AR

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$1,292

+6% in Fargo, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$221,200

+18% in Fargo, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$60,583

+8% in Fargo, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

$45,790

+10% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

36.4 yr

+4.2 yr in Little Rock, AR

Homeownership

44.1%

54.2%

+10.1 pp in Little Rock, AR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

44.0%

+0.8 pp in Little Rock, AR

Avg Commute

15.8 min

18.3 min

+2.5 min in Little Rock, AR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

1,673

+231% in Little Rock, AR

Property Crime

3,726.4

5,251.5

+41% in Little Rock, AR

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

62.7°F

+20.3°F in Little Rock, AR

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

49.8 in

+27.2 in in Little Rock, AR

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

14.4

+6% in Little Rock, AR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.39

$25.93

+128% in Little Rock, AR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Fargo, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Little Rock, AR

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Fargo, ND

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / AR)

6.5%

+1.5 pp in AR

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

3.90%

+1.4 pp in AR

Fargo vs Little Rock — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Little Rock?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Little Rock, AR's $1,080, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Little Rock?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $36,000 in Little Rock.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Little Rock?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Little Rock under Arkansas's (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% 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).