City Comparison

Fargo vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fargo

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

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

12.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 12.3%, with Fargo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fargo has equivalent purchasing power to $85,484 in Warwick.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
80
Fargo
127
Warwick
Groceries
98
Fargo
102
Warwick
Utilities
92
Fargo
112
Warwick
Transportation
99
Fargo
105
Warwick
Healthcare
105
Fargo
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fargo has the same purchasing power as $85,484 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $65,802 in Fargo.

Living in Fargo vs Warwick

Housing Costs

Fargo's housing index of 80 is lower Warwick's 127, 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 $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Fargo and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Fargo vs $485/month in Warwick. 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 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Fargo vs $448 in Warwick. 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 103 in Warwick. 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 $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,374 and $70,377 respectively. Warwick 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 $1,741/month in Warwick. In Fargo, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fargo is 12.3% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Fargo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $85,484 in Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
Fargo's housing index is 80 with median homes at $260,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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