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

McAllen

Texas
66
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

McAllen is 10% cheaper than Fargo.

$1,017/mo ↑ 11%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 10%
$60,165/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↑ 10%
$173,800 ↓ 36%
Home Value
$269,800 ↑ 55%
$996/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$997/mo ≈ Same
143,789
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McAllen, TX and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $101/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $1,212/year.

Median household income is $5,864/year higher in Fargo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McAllen is $173,800 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McAllen vs Fargo — common questions

Is McAllen or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 73 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McAllen and Fargo?
Median rent in McAllen is $1,017/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $101/month.
Which city has higher income, McAllen or Fargo?
Median household income is $60,165 in McAllen and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $5,864/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 McAllen or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. McAllen has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $1,017/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 McAllen details → View Fargo details →

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