Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Mesa?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $52,000 in Mesa.

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Mesa?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Mesa under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Fargo vs Mesa Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$940/mo est.

Mesa

Arizona

$1,460/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Fargo, ND versus $1,460 in Mesa, AZ. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 36% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Mesa, AZ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $78,779 in Mesa, AZ — about 16% higher in Mesa, AZ. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Mesa, AZ

Rent

Studio

$671

$1,209

+80% in Mesa, AZ

1 Bedroom

$804

$1,288

+60% in Mesa, AZ

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,458

+53% in Mesa, AZ

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$1,819

+33% in Mesa, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$364,300

+35% in Mesa, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$78,779

+19% in Mesa, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

$51,380

+1% in Mesa, AZ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

37.2 yr

+5.0 yr in Mesa, AZ

Homeownership

44.1%

64.4%

+20.3 pp in Mesa, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

31.5%

+11.7 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

15.8 min

25.0 min

+9.2 min in Mesa, AZ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

486.2

+4% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

3,726.4

1,488

+60% 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

75.1°F

+32.7°F in Mesa, AZ

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

8.0 in

+14.5 in in Fargo, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.09/gal

+29% in Mesa, AZ

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

15.2

+12% in Mesa, AZ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.39

$22.44

+97% in Mesa, AZ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Mesa, AZ

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Mesa, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Mesa, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Mesa, AZ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / AZ)

5.6%

+0.6 pp in AZ

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

about equal

Fargo vs Mesa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Mesa?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Mesa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $52,000 in Mesa.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Mesa?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Mesa under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).