Cost of Living: Baton Rouge, LA vs Fargo, ND (2026)

Baton Rouge

Louisiana
73
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

Baton Rouge and Fargo have a similar cost of living.

$1,044/mo ↑ 14%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 12%
$49,944/yr ↓ 24%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↑ 32%
$224,500 ↓ 17%
Home Value
$269,800 ↑ 20%
$1,043/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$997/mo ↓ 4%
223,699
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

4.25%
Income Tax
2.5%
4.45%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.55%
Property Tax
0.98%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Baton Rouge, LA and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 73 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $128/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $1,536/year.

Median household income is $16,085/year higher in Fargo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Baton Rouge is $224,500 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

North Dakota has a lower income tax rate, making Fargo slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Baton Rouge vs Fargo — common questions

Is Baton Rouge or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fargo is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 73 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Baton Rouge and Fargo?
Median rent in Baton Rouge is $1,044/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $128/month.
Which city has higher income, Baton Rouge or Fargo?
Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $16,085/year higher in Fargo.
How do taxes compare between Louisiana and North Dakota?
Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax. North Dakota has 2.5% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.98% property tax.
Should I move to Baton Rouge or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Baton Rouge has a cost index of 73 with median rent of $1,044/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 Baton Rouge details → View Fargo details →

More Comparisons

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