Cost of Living: Tampa, FL vs Fargo, ND (2026)

Tampa

Florida
113
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

Tampa is 55% more expensive than Fargo.

$1,567/mo ↑ 71%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 42%
$71,302/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↓ 7%
$375,300 ↑ 39%
Home Value
$269,800 ↓ 28%
$1,553/mo ↑ 56%
Owner Costs
$997/mo ↓ 36%
393,389
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.98%

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tampa, FL and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $651/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $7,812/year.

Median household income is $5,273/year higher in Tampa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tampa is $375,300 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tampa vs Fargo — common questions

Is Tampa or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fargo is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tampa and Fargo?
Median rent in Tampa is $1,567/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $651/month.
Which city has higher income, Tampa or Fargo?
Median household income is $71,302 in Tampa and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $5,273/year higher in Tampa.
How do taxes compare between Florida and North Dakota?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. North Dakota has 2.5% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.98% property tax.
Should I move to Tampa or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Tampa has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,567/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 Tampa details → View Fargo details →

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