City Comparison

Fargo vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fargo

North Dakota
93
Below Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$55,218
Median Income

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

6.9%

Living in Springdale costs 6.9% less than Fargo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fargo, you would need $70,161 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
80
Fargo
86
Springdale
Groceries
98
Fargo
97
Springdale
Utilities
92
Fargo
93
Springdale
Transportation
99
Fargo
91
Springdale
Healthcare
105
Fargo
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fargo has the same purchasing power as $70,161 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $80,172 in Fargo.

Living in Fargo vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Fargo's housing index of 80 is lower Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $299,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Fargo compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Fargo and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Fargo vs $461/month in Springdale. 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 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Fargo vs $372 in Springdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Fargo and 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-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 $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,374 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Fargo, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 6.9% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Fargo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,161 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Fargo's housing index is 80 with median homes at $260,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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