Median rent is 22% lower in West Fargo ($1,075/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in West Fargo, where the median home runs $302,200 versus $315,200. Households earn more in West Fargo ($96,877 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
West Fargo, ND
How much would you need to earn in West Fargo, ND to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
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
Chicago
Illinois
West 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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in West Fargo — median rent of $1,075/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 22% difference. Median home values are within 4% of each other: $315,200 in Chicago and $302,200 in West Fargo.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 2.50% in North Dakota, so West Fargo is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 5.00% in North Dakota; West Fargo has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
West Fargo
Income tax: 2.50%
Sales tax: 5.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for West Fargo.
Pick West Fargo if you prioritize higher median household income ($96,877/yr).
Pick West Fargo if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,075/mo median).
Pick West Fargo if you prioritize lower state income tax (2.50%).
Is Chicago cheaper than West Fargo?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs West Fargo?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,075/mo in West Fargo, ND. West Fargo, ND has the lower rent by about 22%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or West Fargo?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $96,877 in West Fargo, ND. West Fargo, 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 — Chicago or West Fargo?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and North Dakota's is 2.50%. West Fargo, ND has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in West Fargo to match my Chicago 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