Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
10% cheaper
Fargo is 10% more affordable than Dallas. A $75,000 salary in Dallas is equivalent to $67,718 in Fargo.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · North Dakota salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Dallas has a housing index of 104 while Fargo sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in Dallas costs $310,000 compared to $260,000 in Fargo, a difference of $50,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Dallas versus $1,000 in Fargo.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Dallas scores 97 while Fargo scores 98. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Dallas (100) are lower than Fargo (105). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Dallas is $54,747 compared to $55,218 in Fargo. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Fargo.
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