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

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

Knoxville and Fargo have a similar cost of living.

$1,116/mo ↑ 22%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 18%
$50,994/yr ↓ 23%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↑ 29%
$214,000 ↓ 21%
Home Value
$269,800 ↑ 26%
$1,075/mo ↑ 8%
Owner Costs
$997/mo ↓ 7%
193,721
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $200/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $2,400/year.

Median household income is $15,035/year higher in Fargo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs Fargo — common questions

Is Knoxville or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fargo is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and Fargo?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $200/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or Fargo?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $15,035/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 Knoxville or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/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 Knoxville details → View Fargo details →

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