Fargo vs Great Falls

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fargo has the same purchasing power as $70,968 in Great Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Great Falls equals $79,261 in Fargo.

Living in Fargo vs Great Falls

Housing Costs

Fargo's housing index of 80 is lower Great Falls's 82, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $325,000. The $65,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,224 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Fargo compared to $1,050/mo in Great Falls, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Fargo and 99 in Great Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Fargo vs $470/month in Great Falls. 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 92 in Fargo and 90 in Great Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Fargo vs $360 in Great Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Fargo and 92 in Great Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,218 in Fargo and $55,800 in Great Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,374 and $63,409 respectively. Great Falls residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,288/month to housing in Fargo vs $1,302/month in Great Falls. In Fargo, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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