Fargo vs Irving
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fargo
Irving
The Verdict
Living in Fargo costs 7.0% less than Irving. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fargo, you would need $80,645 in Irving.
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 $80,645 in Irving.
Conversely, $75,000 in Irving equals $69,750 in Fargo.
Living in Fargo vs Irving
Housing Costs
Fargo's housing index of 80 is lower Irving's 94, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $318,000. The $58,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,768 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Fargo compared to $1,350/mo in Irving, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Fargo and 99 in Irving. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Fargo vs $470/month in Irving. 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 111 in Irving. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Fargo vs $444 in Irving. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Fargo and 103 in Irving. 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 $55,218 in Fargo and $73,400 in Irving. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,374 and $73,400 respectively. Irving 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 $1,713/month in Irving. In Fargo, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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