Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Tacoma?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Tacoma?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Fargo vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$940/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Fargo, ND versus $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 21% higher in Tacoma, WA. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$671

$1,178

+76% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$804

$1,332

+66% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,693

+77% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$2,094

+53% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$454,600

+68% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$83,857

+27% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

$72,610

+42% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

37.3 yr

+5.1 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

44.1%

56.5%

+12.4 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

33.5%

+9.7 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

15.8 min

29.0 min

+13.2 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

1,064.4

+111% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

3,726.4

5,695.2

+53% in Tacoma, WA

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

52.1°F

+9.7°F in Tacoma, WA

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

43.0 in

+20.4 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

14.9

+10% in Tacoma, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.39

$20.41

+79% in Tacoma, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / WA)

6.5%

+1.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

None

+2.5 pp in ND

Fargo vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Tacoma?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Tacoma?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).