Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Providence?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Providence, RI's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $41,000 in Providence.

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Providence?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Fargo vs Providence Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$940/mo est.

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Fargo, ND versus $1,310 in Providence, RI. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Providence, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 1% higher in Providence, RI. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Providence, RI

Rent

Studio

$671

$1,116

+66% in Providence, RI

1 Bedroom

$804

$1,030

+28% in Providence, RI

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,323

+38% in Providence, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$1,627

+19% in Providence, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$322,800

+20% in Providence, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$66,772

+1% in Providence, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

$53,680

+5% in Providence, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

32.9 yr

+0.7 yr in Providence, RI

Homeownership

44.1%

41.2%

+2.9 pp in Fargo, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

34.7%

+8.5 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

15.8 min

25.0 min

+9.2 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

282.4

+44% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

3,726.4

1,665.6

+55% 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

51.6°F

+9.2°F in Providence, RI

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

47.2 in

+24.6 in in Providence, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.86/gal

+2% in Fargo, ND

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

29.5

+116% in Providence, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.39

$16.06

+41% in Providence, RI

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 Providence, RI

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Providence, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Providence, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Providence, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / RI)

+2.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

5.99%

+3.5 pp in RI

Fargo vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Providence?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Providence, RI's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Providence?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $41,000 in Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Providence?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).