Santa Clara vs Fargo: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Santa Clara, CA and Fargo, ND, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Santa Clara, CA | Fargo, ND |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,058 | 127,319 |
| Median household income | $165,352 | $64,432 |
| Median home value | $1,440,200 | $254,900 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,841 | $900 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Santa Clara, CA and Fargo, ND comes down to what you value most. Fargo has the lower median home value, and Fargo has the lower median rent.
Santa Clara has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Santa Clara or Fargo?
- By median home value, Fargo is the cheaper of the two ($254,900 vs $1,440,200). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Santa Clara or Fargo?
- Median household income is $165,352 in Santa Clara versus $64,432 in Fargo, per the US Census Bureau.