Cost of Living: Amarillo, TX vs Fargo, ND (2026)

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

Amarillo is 4% cheaper than Fargo.

$1,049/mo ↑ 15%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 13%
$62,469/yr ↓ 5%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↑ 6%
$186,800 ↓ 31%
Home Value
$269,800 ↑ 44%
$1,074/mo ↑ 8%
Owner Costs
$997/mo ↓ 7%
200,945
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.25%
Sales Tax
5.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.98%

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $133/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $1,596/year.

Median household income is $3,560/year higher in Fargo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over North Dakota's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Fargo — common questions

Is Amarillo or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 73 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Fargo?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $133/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Fargo?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $3,560/year higher in Fargo.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Dakota?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Dakota has 2.5% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.98% property tax.
Should I move to Amarillo or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Fargo has a cost index of 73 with rent of $916/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Amarillo details → View Fargo details →