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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
North Dakota is a genuine bargain: 1 of the 1 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Fargo leads at an index of 64 — which, honestly, is lower than you'd expect here — with rent at just $1,096/month — 42% less than the $1,895 national median. Here are the numbers,…
#1 Ranked: Fargo — cost index 64, rent $1,096/mo, income $66,029
1 of 1 cities keep rent under 30% of $50K gross income
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
North Dakota is a genuine bargain: 1 of the 1 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Fargo leads at an index of 64 — which, honestly, is lower than you'd expect here — with rent at just $1,096/month — 42% less than the $1,895 national median. Here are the numbers, sourced from federal data updated in 2026.
Fargo earns its position at #1 through a combination that's hard to replicate. That tracks. The 64 cost index sits 47 points below the national baseline, and the $66,029 — we had to double-check this one — median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $312,872 — $154,498 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Housing leads the way at 64, while Healthcare trails at 93 (and that gap widens if you factor in state taxes). Surprising? Maybe. But the data's clear.
Bottom line: Fargo leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. You get the picture. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers.
133,188 residents · North Dakota
Dive into Fargo's numbers: cost index 64 (47 points below national average), rent $1,096/month, income $66,029, and a home price of $312,872. And on balance, the city's cost profile isn't flat — Housing is the cheapest category at 64, while Healthcare runs 93. With 133,188 residents, it balances mid-size city convenience with manageable costs.
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Fargo | 1.95% | 7.04% | 0.94% | $39,147 |
Fargo ranks #1 in North Dakota for this analysis with a cost index of 64 and median income of $66,029.
Yes. On a $50K salary in Fargo, rent would consume about 26% of your gross monthly income. Financial experts recommend keeping rent under 30%. You're well within that guideline.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Fargo is $1,096/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $799 below the national median of $1,895/month.
After federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), and 1.95% state income tax, estimated take-home on $50K in Fargo is approximately $39,147/year ($3,262/month). After median rent of $1,096/month, you'd have roughly $25,995/year for all other expenses.
The median home price in Fargo is $312,872, which is 4.7× the local median income. It's on the edge of affordability for median-income households. The national median home price is $467,370.
North Dakota has a 1.95% state income tax rate. Combined state and local sales tax averages 7.04%, and the effective property tax rate is 0.94%.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.