Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Shreveport?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Shreveport, LA's $1,000, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Shreveport.

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Shreveport?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Shreveport under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax).

Fargo vs Shreveport Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$940/mo est.

Shreveport

Louisiana

$1,000/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Fargo, ND versus $1,000 in Shreveport, LA. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Shreveport, LA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $48,465 in Shreveport, LA — about 27% higher in Fargo, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Shreveport, LA

Rent

Studio

$671

$756

+13% in Shreveport, LA

1 Bedroom

$804

$843

+5% in Shreveport, LA

2 Bedroom

$956

$978

+2% in Shreveport, LA

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$1,136

+17% in Fargo, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$178,100

+34% in Fargo, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$48,465

+27% in Fargo, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

$44,820

+12% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

37.5 yr

+5.3 yr in Shreveport, LA

Homeownership

44.1%

53.8%

+9.7 pp in Shreveport, LA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

27.5%

+15.7 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

15.8 min

19.0 min

+3.2 min in Shreveport, LA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

1,235.4

+145% in Shreveport, LA

Property Crime

3,726.4

4,048.2

+9% in Shreveport, LA

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

65.5°F

+23.1°F in Shreveport, LA

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

51.0 in

+28.4 in in Shreveport, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Fargo, ND

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

14.2

+4% in Shreveport, LA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.39

$16.62

+46% in Shreveport, LA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Fargo, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Shreveport, LA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Fargo, ND

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / LA)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

3.00%

+0.5 pp in LA

Fargo vs Shreveport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Shreveport?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Shreveport, LA's $1,000, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Shreveport?: 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 Shreveport.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Shreveport?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Shreveport under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% 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).