Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Rutland?

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

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $34,000 in Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Rutland?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Fargo vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$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 Rutland, VT. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rutland, VT, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 17% higher in Fargo, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$671

$893

+33% in Rutland, VT

1 Bedroom

$804

$856

+6% in Rutland, VT

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,097

+15% in Rutland, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$1,207

+12% in Fargo, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$176,400

+35% in Fargo, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$55,000

+17% in Fargo, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

48.5 yr

+16.3 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

44.1%

52.7%

+8.6 pp in Rutland, VT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

32.2%

+11.0 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

15.8 min

14.7 min

+1.1 min in Fargo, ND

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

487.8

+3% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

3,726.4

3,973.3

+7% in Rutland, VT

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

44.6°F

+2.2°F in Rutland, VT

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

40.5 in

+17.9 in in Rutland, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Rutland, VT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

24.4

+73% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$26.07

+43% in Rutland, VT

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 Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / VT)

+1.0 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

8.75%

+6.3 pp in VT

Fargo vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Rutland?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Rutland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $34,000 in Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Rutland?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 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).