Cost of Living: Mesa, AZ vs Fargo, ND (2026)

Mesa

Arizona
107
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

Mesa is 47% more expensive than Fargo.

$1,478/mo ↑ 61%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 38%
$78,779/yr ↑ 19%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↓ 16%
$364,300 ↑ 35%
Home Value
$269,800 ↓ 26%
$1,404/mo ↑ 41%
Owner Costs
$997/mo ↓ 29%
507,478
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

2.5%
Income Tax
2.5%
5.6%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.62%
Property Tax
0.98%

Affordability

22.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Mesa, AZ and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 107 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $562/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $6,744/year.

Median household income is $12,750/year higher in Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Mesa is $364,300 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mesa vs Fargo — common questions

Is Mesa or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fargo is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 107 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Mesa and Fargo?
Median rent in Mesa is $1,478/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $562/month.
Which city has higher income, Mesa or Fargo?
Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $12,750/year higher in Mesa.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and North Dakota?
Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. North Dakota has 2.5% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.98% property tax.
Should I move to Mesa or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Mesa has a cost index of 107 with median rent of $1,478/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 Mesa details → View Fargo details →

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