Fargo vs Round Rock
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fargo
Round Rock
The Verdict
Fargo is 7.9% less expensive than Round Rock overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fargo would need approximately $81,452 in Round Rock to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $81,452 in Round Rock.
Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $69,059 in Fargo.
Living in Fargo vs Round Rock
Housing Costs
Fargo's housing index of 80 is lower Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $413,000. The $153,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,948 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Fargo compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Fargo and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Fargo vs $456/month in Round Rock. 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 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Fargo vs $436 in Round Rock. 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 96 in Round Rock. 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 $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,374 and $99,505 respectively. Round Rock 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 $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Fargo, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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