Cost of Living: Omaha, NE vs Fargo, ND (2026)

Omaha

Nebraska
80
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

Omaha is 10% more expensive than Fargo.

$1,150/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 20%
$72,708/yr ↑ 10%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↓ 9%
$230,100 ↓ 15%
Home Value
$269,800 ↑ 17%
$1,249/mo ↑ 25%
Owner Costs
$997/mo ↓ 20%
488,197
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

6.64%
Income Tax
2.5%
5.5%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
1.73%
Property Tax
0.98%

Affordability

19.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Omaha, NE and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 80 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $234/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $2,808/year.

Median household income is $6,679/year higher in Omaha. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Omaha is $230,100 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Omaha vs Fargo — common questions

Is Omaha or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fargo is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 80 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Omaha and Fargo?
Median rent in Omaha is $1,150/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $234/month.
Which city has higher income, Omaha or Fargo?
Median household income is $72,708 in Omaha and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $6,679/year higher in Omaha.
How do taxes compare between Nebraska and North Dakota?
Nebraska has 6.64% income tax, 5.5% sales tax, and 1.73% property tax. North Dakota has 2.5% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.98% property tax.
Should I move to Omaha or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Omaha has a cost index of 80 with median rent of $1,150/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 Omaha details → View Fargo details →

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