Fargo wins overall by ~20% (COL index)
Cost of living: Chicago vs Fargo (2026)
A $64,500 salary in Chicago buys roughly what $53,650 does in Fargo (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$11,030/yr
Favoring Fargo for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $919/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~17 months and still keep ~$110/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Chicago Illinois | Fargo North Dakota | Who wins | Your impact at $65K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500 | $1,000Wins | Fargo wins −$500/mo | $6,000/yr saves in Fargo |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,900 | $1,250Wins | Fargo wins −$650/mo | $7,800/yr saves in Fargo |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,600 | $1,650Wins | Fargo wins −$950/mo | $11,400/yr saves in Fargo |
| Median home price | $360K | $270KWins | Fargo wins −$90K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 102 | 97Better | Fargo wins -5 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $15 | $12Wins | Fargo wins −$3/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60 | $50Wins | Fargo wins −$10/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $105 | $50Wins | Fargo wins −$55/mo | $660/yr saves in Fargo |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40 | $3.05Better | Fargo wins −$0.35 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $165 | $142Wins | Fargo wins −$23/mo | $276/yr saves in Fargo |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $165 | $155Better | Fargo wins −$10/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $67KBetter | $62K | Chicago wins −$5K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.9% | 2.5%Wins | Fargo wins -2.4 pp | $1,548/yr saves in Fargo |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 10.3% | 6.8%Wins | Fargo wins -3.5 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00 | $14.00Wins | Fargo wins −$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $45 | $35Wins | Fargo wins −$10/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00 | $5.50Wins | Fargo wins −$1.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 107 | 89Wins | Fargo wins -18 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 78Wins | 34 | Chicago wins -44 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,548/yr tax difference into cash back
Fargo fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Fargo.
High-yield savings
Park ~$7,800/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chicago cheaper than Fargo?
No. Fargo is 20% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (89 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Chicago vs Fargo?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Chicago is $1,900/month and in Fargo is $1,250/month. Chicago is more expensive by 52%.
How much do I need to earn in Fargo to match a $75,000 salary in Chicago?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $62,383/year in Fargo to match a $75,000 salary in Chicago. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Chicago or Fargo?
Fargo has the lower state income tax rate at 2.5% vs 4.9%. The difference is 2.4 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Chicago to Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Fargo offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Chicago ↔ Fargo
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