Cost of Living: Waco, TX vs Fargo, ND (2026)

Waco

Texas
72
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

Waco and Fargo have a similar cost of living.

$1,098/mo ↑ 20%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 17%
$51,468/yr ↓ 22%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↑ 28%
$199,600 ↓ 26%
Home Value
$269,800 ↑ 35%
$1,094/mo ↑ 10%
Owner Costs
$997/mo ↓ 9%
141,925
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.98%

Affordability

25.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Waco, TX and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 72 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $182/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $2,184/year.

Median household income is $14,561/year higher in Fargo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Waco is $199,600 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Waco vs Fargo — common questions

Is Waco or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Waco is cheaper to live in with an index of 72 compared to 73 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Waco and Fargo?
Median rent in Waco is $1,098/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $182/month.
Which city has higher income, Waco or Fargo?
Median household income is $51,468 in Waco and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $14,561/year higher in Fargo.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Dakota?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Dakota has 2.5% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.98% property tax.
Should I move to Waco or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Waco has a cost index of 72 with median rent of $1,098/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 Waco details → View Fargo details →

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