Median rent is 8% lower in Fargo ($916/mo vs $992/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fargo, where the median home runs $269,800 versus $291,400. Households earn more in Bismarck ($77,608 vs $66,029 a year).
City A
Bismarck, ND
City B
Fargo, ND
How much would you need to earn in Fargo, ND to maintain your standard of living from Bismarck, ND?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Bismarck
North Dakota
Fargo
North Dakota
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Fargo at $916/mo compared to $992/mo in Bismarck (8% gap). Median home values are within 7% of each other: $291,400 in Bismarck and $269,800 in Fargo.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
North Dakota's top income tax rate is 2.50% versus 2.50% in North Dakota, so Fargo is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 5.00% in North Dakota and 5.00% in North Dakota; Fargo has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Bismarck
Income tax: 2.50%
Sales tax: 5.00%
Fargo
Income tax: 2.50%
Sales tax: 5.00%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Bismarck if you prioritize higher median household income ($77,608/yr).
Is Bismarck cheaper than Fargo?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Bismarck vs Fargo?
Median rent is $992/mo in Bismarck, ND and $916/mo in Fargo, ND. Fargo, ND has the lower rent by about 8%.
Which has higher salaries — Bismarck or Fargo?
Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $66,029 in Fargo, ND. Bismarck, ND has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Bismarck or Fargo?
North Dakota's top income tax rate is 2.50% and North Dakota's is 2.50%. Fargo, ND has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Fargo to match my Bismarck income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology