salaryFargo is the largest city in North Dakota that we track, with 131,627 residents. Rent is lower than in 83% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.9 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 15.5 minutes. Most households rent (56%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $43,200 a year. That is $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Dakota cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of North Dakota. It is number 5 of 13 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Fargo?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Fargo
| Size | Fargo | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $780 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $931 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,075 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,580 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,946 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Fargo overall?
Everyday prices in the Fargo metro area are 9% below the U.S. average (index 90.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Fargo
Life in Fargo
What jobs pay in Fargo
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $142,040 | 9.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $136,610 | 9.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,070 | 10.0% |
| Lawyer | $111,090 | 11.7% |
| Software Developer | $105,980 | 12.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $99,800 | 13.0% |
| Operations Manager | $96,410 | 13.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $95,530 | 13.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,390 | 15.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $82,120 | 15.8% |
| Electrician | $76,950 | 16.8% |
| Accountant | $76,420 | 17.0% |
| Police Officer | $76,180 | 17.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $75,920 | 17.1% |
| Plumber | $63,350 | 20.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,300 | 20.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $61,680 | 21.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,210 | 21.5% |
| Carpenter | $58,940 | 22.0% |
| Truck Driver | $58,900 | 22.0% |
| Firefighter | $53,130 | 24.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,280 | 27.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $45,690 | 28.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $40,900 | 31.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,940 | 32.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,020 | 35.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,860 | 36.1% |
| Cashier | $33,420 | 38.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $30,330 | 42.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Fargo?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $876 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $281,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $28,190 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Fargo, ND?
Renting in Fargo costs a median of about $1,080 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Dakota median is $1,115.
How much do I need to make to live in Fargo?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $43,200 a year, or $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Fargo cheap or expensive?
Fargo is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.9% of the typical household income of $72,257. It ranks 5th cheapest of 13 North Dakota cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Fargo?
The median homeowner in Fargo pays $3,492 a year in property taxes, about 1.24% of the median home value.
Is Fargo more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Fargo?
The median home value in Fargo is $281,900, about 3.9 times the typical yearly household income.
131,627 people live in Fargo. Numbers are typical (middle) values.