City Comparison

Fargo vs Green Bay

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fargo

North Dakota
93
Below Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$55,218
Median Income

Green Bay

Wisconsin
86
Below Average
$235,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$55,200
Median Income

The Verdict

8.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.1%, with Green Bay being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fargo has equivalent purchasing power to $69,355 in Green Bay.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
80
Fargo
72
Green Bay
Groceries
98
Fargo
98
Green Bay
Utilities
92
Fargo
84
Green Bay
Transportation
99
Fargo
102
Green Bay
Healthcare
105
Fargo
96
Green Bay

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fargo has the same purchasing power as $69,355 in Green Bay.

Conversely, $75,000 in Green Bay equals $81,105 in Fargo.

Living in Fargo vs Green Bay

Housing Costs

Fargo's housing index of 80 is higher Green Bay's 72, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $235,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Fargo compared to $950/mo in Green Bay, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Fargo and 98 in Green Bay. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Fargo vs $466/month in Green Bay. 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 84 in Green Bay. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Fargo vs $336 in Green Bay. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Fargo and 96 in Green Bay. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $55,200 in Green Bay. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,374 and $64,186 respectively. Green Bay 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 $1,288/month in Green Bay. In Fargo, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Green Bay is 8.1% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Fargo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,355 in Green Bay, based on the cost of living difference.
Fargo's housing index is 80 with median homes at $260,000, while Green Bay's is 72 with median homes at $235,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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