Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Wilmington?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Wilmington, DE's $1,230, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Wilmington.

Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Wilmington?

Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Wilmington under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax).

Fargo vs Wilmington Cost of Living 2026

Fargo

North Dakota

$940/mo est.

Wilmington

Delaware

$1,230/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Fargo, ND versus $1,230 in Wilmington, DE. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Wilmington, DE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $55,269 in Wilmington, DE — about 16% higher in Fargo, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Fargo, ND

Wilmington, DE

Rent

Studio

$671

$1,103

+64% in Wilmington, DE

1 Bedroom

$804

$1,024

+27% in Wilmington, DE

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,213

+27% in Wilmington, DE

3 Bedroom

$1,368

$1,394

+2% in Wilmington, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$269,800

$224,500

+17% in Fargo, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$66,029

$55,269

+16% in Fargo, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,050

$54,310

+6% in Wilmington, DE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.2 yr

37.0 yr

+4.8 yr in Wilmington, DE

Homeownership

44.1%

46.0%

+1.9 pp in Wilmington, DE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.2%

33.1%

+10.1 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

15.8 min

23.0 min

+7.2 min in Wilmington, DE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

504.9

1,138.2

+125% in Wilmington, DE

Property Crime

3,726.4

3,182.4

+15% 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

54.9°F

+12.5°F in Wilmington, DE

Annual Precipitation

22.6 in

43.1 in

+20.5 in in Wilmington, DE

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

19.4

+42% in Wilmington, DE

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.39

$22.51

+98% in Wilmington, DE

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 Wilmington, DE

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 / DE)

None

+5.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

6.60%

+4.1 pp in DE

Fargo vs Wilmington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Wilmington?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Wilmington, DE's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Wilmington?: 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 Wilmington.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Wilmington?: Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Wilmington under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).