Davenport vs Fargo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Davenport
Fargo
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 10.8%, with Davenport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Davenport has equivalent purchasing power to $84,036 in Fargo.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Davenport has the same purchasing power as $84,036 in Fargo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fargo equals $66,935 in Davenport.
Living in Davenport vs Fargo
Housing Costs
Davenport's housing index of 60 is lower Fargo's 80, translating to median home prices of $212,000 vs $260,000. The $48,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,120 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Davenport compared to $1,000/mo in Fargo, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Davenport and 98 in Fargo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Davenport vs $466/month in Fargo. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Davenport and 92 in Fargo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Davenport vs $368 in Fargo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Davenport and 105 in Fargo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $66,200 in Davenport and $55,218 in Fargo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,759 and $59,374 respectively. Davenport residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,545/month to housing in Davenport vs $1,288/month in Fargo. In Davenport, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Fargo, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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