Fargo vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fargo
Scranton
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 3.3%, with Scranton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fargo has equivalent purchasing power to $72,581 in Scranton.
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 $72,581 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $77,500 in Fargo.
Living in Fargo vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Fargo's housing index of 80 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $195,000. The $65,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,224 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 Scranton, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Fargo and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Fargo vs $466/month in Scranton. 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 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Fargo vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Fargo and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,374 and $55,000 respectively. Fargo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,288/month to housing in Fargo vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Fargo, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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