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

Vancouver

Washington
123
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

Vancouver is 68% more expensive than Fargo.

$1,632/mo ↑ 78%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 44%
$78,156/yr ↑ 18%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↓ 16%
$440,300 ↑ 63%
Home Value
$269,800 ↓ 39%
$1,607/mo ↑ 61%
Owner Costs
$997/mo ↓ 38%
192,696
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Vancouver, WA and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 123 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $716/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $8,592/year.

Median household income is $12,127/year higher in Vancouver. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Vancouver is $440,300 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Vancouver vs Fargo — common questions

Is Vancouver or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fargo is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 123 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Vancouver and Fargo?
Median rent in Vancouver is $1,632/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $716/month.
Which city has higher income, Vancouver or Fargo?
Median household income is $78,156 in Vancouver and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $12,127/year higher in Vancouver.
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 Vancouver or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Vancouver has a cost index of 123 with median rent of $1,632/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 Vancouver details → View Fargo details →

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