Fargo vs Racine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fargo
Racine
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 5.7%, with Racine being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fargo has equivalent purchasing power to $70,968 in Racine.
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 Racine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $79,261 in Fargo.
Living in Fargo vs Racine
Housing Costs
Fargo's housing index of 80 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $126,000. The $134,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,712 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Fargo compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Fargo and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Fargo vs $461/month in Racine. 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 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Fargo vs $376 in Racine. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Fargo and 111 in Racine. 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 $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,374 and $65,568 respectively. Racine 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 $1,346/month in Racine. In Fargo, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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