Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Fargo, ND (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

St. Louis is 10% cheaper than Fargo.

$978/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 6%
$55,279/yr ↓ 16%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↑ 19%
$185,100 ↓ 31%
Home Value
$269,800 ↑ 46%
$1,013/mo ↑ 2%
Owner Costs
$997/mo ↓ 2%
293,109
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
2.5%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.98%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $62/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $744/year.

Median household income is $10,750/year higher in Fargo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Fargo — common questions

Is St. Louis or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 73 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Fargo?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $62/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Fargo?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $10,750/year higher in Fargo.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and North Dakota?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. North Dakota has 2.5% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.98% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/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 St. Louis details → View Fargo details →

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