Cost of Living: Santa Clara, CA vs Fargo, ND (2026)

Santa Clara

California
307
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

Santa Clara is 234% more expensive than Fargo.

$2,985/mo ↑ 226%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 69%
$173,670/yr ↑ 163%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↓ 62%
$1,527,900 ↑ 466%
Home Value
$269,800 ↓ 82%
$3,051/mo ↑ 206%
Owner Costs
$997/mo ↓ 67%
129,239
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
2.5%
7.25%
Sales Tax
5.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.98%

Affordability

20.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clara, CA and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 307 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $2,069/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $24,828/year.

Median household income is $107,641/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clara is $1,527,900 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clara vs Fargo — common questions

Is Santa Clara or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fargo is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clara and Fargo?
Median rent in Santa Clara is $2,985/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $2,069/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clara or Fargo?
Median household income is $173,670 in Santa Clara and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $107,641/year higher in Santa Clara.
How do taxes compare between California and North Dakota?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. North Dakota has 2.5% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.98% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Clara or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with median rent of $2,985/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.
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