Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Provo?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $39,000 in Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Provo?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Fargo vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $960 in Fargo, ND versus $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Provo, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 5% higher in Fargo, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$671

$1,009

+50% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$804

$978

+22% in Provo, UT

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,128

+18% in Provo, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$1,381

+1% in Provo, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$437,100

+62% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$62,800

+5% in Fargo, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

$48,010

+6% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

23.7 yr

+8.5 yr in Fargo, ND

Homeownership

44.1%

39.9%

+4.2 pp in Fargo, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

45.0%

+1.8 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

15.8 min

18.5 min

+2.7 min in Provo, UT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

205.7

+59% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

3,726.4

1,280.6

+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

53.4°F

+11.0°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

19.8 in

+2.8 in in Fargo, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Provo, UT

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

13.4

+5% in Fargo, ND

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$11.84

+35% in Fargo, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Provo, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / UT)

6.1%

+1.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

4.50%

+2.0 pp in UT

Fargo vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Provo?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Provo?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).