Cost of Living: Chattanooga, TN vs Fargo, ND (2026)

Chattanooga

Tennessee
81
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

Chattanooga is 11% more expensive than Fargo.

$1,155/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 21%
$61,028/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↑ 8%
$259,200 ↓ 4%
Home Value
$269,800 ↑ 4%
$1,112/mo ↑ 12%
Owner Costs
$997/mo ↓ 10%
182,832
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.98%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Chattanooga, TN and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 81 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $239/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $2,868/year.

Median household income is $5,001/year higher in Fargo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Chattanooga is $259,200 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Chattanooga vs Fargo — common questions

Is Chattanooga or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fargo is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 81 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Chattanooga and Fargo?
Median rent in Chattanooga is $1,155/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $239/month.
Which city has higher income, Chattanooga or Fargo?
Median household income is $61,028 in Chattanooga and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $5,001/year higher in Fargo.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and North Dakota?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. North Dakota has 2.5% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.98% property tax.
Should I move to Chattanooga or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Chattanooga has a cost index of 81 with median rent of $1,155/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 Chattanooga details → View Fargo details →

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