Fargo vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fargo
Surprise
The Verdict
Living in Fargo costs 9.7% less than Surprise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fargo, you would need $83,065 in Surprise.
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 $83,065 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $67,718 in Fargo.
Living in Fargo vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Fargo's housing index of 80 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $419,000. The $159,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,332 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Fargo compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Fargo and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Fargo vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Fargo vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Fargo and 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,374 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Fargo, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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