Cost of Living: Tacoma, WA vs Fargo, ND (2026)

Tacoma

Washington
126
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

Tacoma is 73% more expensive than Fargo.

$1,597/mo ↑ 74%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 43%
$83,857/yr ↑ 27%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↓ 21%
$454,600 ↑ 68%
Home Value
$269,800 ↓ 41%
$1,747/mo ↑ 75%
Owner Costs
$997/mo ↓ 43%
220,482
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.92%
Property Tax
0.98%

Affordability

22.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tacoma, WA and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 126 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $681/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $8,172/year.

Median household income is $17,828/year higher in Tacoma. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tacoma is $454,600 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Tacoma residents a significant tax advantage over North Dakota's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tacoma vs Fargo — common questions

Is Tacoma or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fargo is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tacoma and Fargo?
Median rent in Tacoma is $1,597/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $681/month.
Which city has higher income, Tacoma or Fargo?
Median household income is $83,857 in Tacoma and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $17,828/year higher in Tacoma.
How do taxes compare between Washington and North Dakota?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. North Dakota has 2.5% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.98% property tax.
Should I move to Tacoma or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Tacoma has a cost index of 126 with median rent of $1,597/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 Tacoma details → View Fargo details →

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