Cost of living in Fargo, ND Livability score 68 · cost-of-living index 89.1 (US = 100)
How Fargo compares Where Fargo falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 89 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 89 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $328k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $328k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $193 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $193 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 7.0% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 7.0% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 1.20% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 1.20% Violent crime (per 100k) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k): 290 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 290 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 12.3 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 12.3 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 84° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 84° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): -2° — range -2° to 72° across all metros -2° Map of Fargo Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps
Cost of living Metric Value US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 89.1 #20 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 97.0 #119 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.07 #17 of 200 Median household income $73,641 #85 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $41,725 #79 of 200
Economy Metric Value US rank Unemployment rate 3.11% #6 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +8.2% #39 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value US rank Median home price $327,854 #91 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 4.5× #81 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +3.2% #44 of 200 Price per square foot $193 #106 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,700 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,156 #10 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 863 Median days on market 23 #134 of 200
Taxes Metric Value US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 8.8% #26 of 200 Combined sales tax 7.04% #85 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 2.50% Capital gains tax 2.50% #45 of 200 High earners No special surtax Effective property tax rate 1.20% #129 of 200 Median property tax paid $3,119 #127 of 200
Healthcare & childcare Metric Value US rank Healthcare (annual, single adult) $7,000 #129 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $10,000 #58 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value US rank Annual registration $130 #107 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) None #1 of 200 Emissions testing Not required Emissions detail No vehicle emissions testing DMV & license offices 5 Avg commute to work 18 min #2 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value US rank Electricity 12.3¢/kWh #1 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $111 #1 of 200 Gasoline $3.20/gal #63 of 200
Insurance Metric Value US rank Home insurance (annual) $2,100 #124 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,400 #18 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $650 #41 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 #1 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 38 #25 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 500 #13 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 8,900 #199 of 200 Avg summer high 84°F #37 of 200 Avg winter low -2°F #200 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 4a Frost window 05-25 → 09-20
Safety Metric Value US rank Violent crime (per 100k) 290 #27 of 200 Property crime (per 100k) 2,100 #95 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value US rank Grocery stores 16 #190 of 200 Parks 31 Hiking areas 3 Golf courses 9 Shooting ranges 2 Lakes 4
Permits Metric Value US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 2 #1 of 200 Permit detail Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
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Estimates for guidance only — not financial or legal advice. Live/official data:
cost-of-living & grocery (BEA RPP); home price, rent, inventory, days-on-market (Zillow);
income & property tax (US Census ACS); electricity (US EIA); plant-hardiness (USDA);
crime (FBI UCR); local grocery, park, hiking, golf, shooting-range, lake & DMV
counts (Google Maps listings) via our own scraper.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.