Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Nashua?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $55,000 in Nashua.

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Nashua?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Fargo vs Nashua Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Nashua

New Hampshire

$1,660/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Fargo, ND versus $1,660 in Nashua, NH. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 42% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Nashua, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $92,457 in Nashua, NH — about 29% higher in Nashua, NH. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Nashua, NH

Rent

Studio

$671

$1,127

+68% in Nashua, NH

1 Bedroom

$804

$1,383

+72% in Nashua, NH

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,699

+78% in Nashua, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$1,951

+43% in Nashua, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$373,100

+38% in Nashua, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$92,457

+40% in Nashua, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

$56,530

+11% in Nashua, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

39.7 yr

+7.5 yr in Nashua, NH

Homeownership

44.1%

56.4%

+12.3 pp in Nashua, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

40.5%

+2.7 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

15.8 min

25.3 min

+9.5 min in Nashua, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

164.9

+67% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

3,726.4

1,269

+66% 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

49.2°F

+6.8°F in Nashua, NH

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

44.6 in

+22.0 in in Nashua, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Nashua, NH

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

27.0

+91% in Nashua, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$21.67

+19% in Nashua, NH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Nashua, NH

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Nashua, NH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Nashua, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Nashua, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / NH)

None

+5.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

None

+2.5 pp in ND

Fargo vs Nashua — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Nashua?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Nashua, NH's $1,660, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Nashua?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $55,000 in Nashua.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Nashua?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Nashua under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no 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).