Fargo, ND Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Fargo, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Fargo →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Fargo is a city of roughly 127,319 in North Dakota. The median household there earns $64,432 annually, which runs below the multi-city median income (-11%).
The typical home in Fargo is worth $254,900, below the multi-city median (-22%), while the typical renter pays $900 a month. Either path — buying or renting — deserves a look at today's rates before deciding.
At roughly 4.0 times median income, Fargo's home values sit in a balanced range compared to the cities we track. Home prices near Fargo have risen a steady 3.13% over the past year — measured growth, not a spike. Natural-hazard exposure in Fargo is rated Relatively Moderate by FEMA — modest risk that generally keeps insurance premiums more manageable.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $900/mo in Fargo would take 16.8% of your income.
$711/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($254,900) would take 25.3% of your income toward principal & interest.
$143/mo under the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Fargo
Median home value is $254,900 and median gross rent is $900/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Cass rose 3.13% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,112/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Fargo's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Moderate. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Fargo reported a violent crime rate of 378.4 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Fargo
Planning a move to Fargo? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Fargo, ND?
- Cost of living in Fargo centers on housing: median home value runs $254,900, median rent runs $900/month, and the typical household earns $64,432 a year. Data via the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Fargo?
- At Fargo's median rent of $900/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $36,000 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Fargo.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Fargo?
- Buying at Fargo's median home value of $254,900 takes about $58,320 a year in principal-and-interest income (20% down, 30-year fixed, current mortgage rates), compared with roughly $36,000 a year to comfortably rent at the median $900/month. Down payment and expected length of stay usually settle the question.
- Is Fargo safe?
- The most recent FBI figures (2025) show a violent crime rate of 378.4 per 100,000 residents in Fargo.
See the full salary breakdown for Fargo →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Fargo's.