Fargo vs Odessa

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 $68,548 in Odessa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Odessa equals $82,059 in Fargo.

Living in Fargo vs Odessa

Housing Costs

Fargo's housing index of 80 is higher Odessa's 72, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $223,000. The $37,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,400 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Fargo compared to $1,150/mo in Odessa, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Fargo and 96 in Odessa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Fargo vs $456/month in Odessa. 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 100 in Odessa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Fargo vs $400 in Odessa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Fargo and 96 in Odessa. 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 $73,500 in Odessa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,374 and $86,471 respectively. Odessa 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 $1,715/month in Odessa. In Fargo, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/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

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases