Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
3% cheaper
Fargo is 3% more affordable than Columbia. A $75,000 salary in Columbia is equivalent to $72,656 in Fargo.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: South Carolina salaries · North Dakota salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Columbia has a housing index of 88 while Fargo sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in Columbia costs $210,000 compared to $260,000 in Fargo, a difference of $50,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Columbia versus $1,000 in Fargo.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Columbia scores 99 while Fargo scores 98. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Columbia (102) are lower than Fargo (105). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Columbia is $46,734 compared to $55,218 in Fargo. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Fargo.
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