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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

Houston is 21% more expensive than Fargo.

$1,313/mo ↑ 43%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 30%
$62,894/yr ↓ 5%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↑ 5%
$253,400 ↓ 6%
Home Value
$269,800 ↑ 6%
$1,316/mo ↑ 32%
Owner Costs
$997/mo ↓ 24%
2,300,419
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $397/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $4,764/year.

Median household income is $3,135/year higher in Fargo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Fargo — common questions

Is Houston or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fargo is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Fargo?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $397/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Fargo?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $3,135/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 Houston or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/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 Houston details → View Fargo details →

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