Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
9% cheaper
El Paso is 9% more affordable than Fargo. A $75,000 salary in Fargo is equivalent to $68,548 in El Paso.
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. El Paso has a housing index of 69 while Fargo sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in El Paso costs $185,000 compared to $260,000 in Fargo, a difference of $75,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in El Paso versus $1,000 in Fargo.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: El Paso scores 95 while Fargo scores 98. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in El Paso (89) are lower than Fargo (105).
Median household income in El Paso is $47,568 compared to $55,218 in Fargo. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in El Paso.
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