Cost of Living: Montgomery, AL vs Fargo, ND (2026)

Montgomery

Alabama
64
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

Montgomery is 12% cheaper than Fargo.

$1,059/mo ↑ 16%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 14%
$55,687/yr ↓ 16%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↑ 19%
$148,500 ↓ 45%
Home Value
$269,800 ↑ 82%
$1,023/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$997/mo ↓ 3%
198,440
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

5.0%
Income Tax
2.5%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.41%
Property Tax
0.98%

Affordability

22.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Montgomery, AL and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 64 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $143/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $1,716/year.

Median household income is $10,342/year higher in Fargo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Montgomery is $148,500 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

North Dakota has a lower income tax rate, making Fargo slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery vs Fargo — common questions

Is Montgomery or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Montgomery is cheaper to live in with an index of 64 compared to 73 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Montgomery and Fargo?
Median rent in Montgomery is $1,059/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $143/month.
Which city has higher income, Montgomery or Fargo?
Median household income is $55,687 in Montgomery and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $10,342/year higher in Fargo.
How do taxes compare between Alabama and North Dakota?
Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax. North Dakota has 2.5% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.98% property tax.
Should I move to Montgomery or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Montgomery has a cost index of 64 with median rent of $1,059/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 Montgomery details → View Fargo details →

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