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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

Austin is 84% more expensive than Fargo.

$1,655/mo ↑ 81%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 45%
$91,461/yr ↑ 39%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↓ 28%
$512,700 ↑ 90%
Home Value
$269,800 ↓ 47%
$1,747/mo ↑ 75%
Owner Costs
$997/mo ↓ 43%
967,862
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $739/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $8,868/year.

Median household income is $25,432/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Fargo — common questions

Is Austin or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fargo is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Fargo?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $739/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Fargo?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $25,432/year higher in Austin.
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 Austin or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/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 Austin details → View Fargo details →

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