Fargo, ND vs Minot, ND

Fargo, ND and Minot, ND have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.3% difference in their overall index. Fargo scores 81 while Minot scores 80 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fargo is $916/month compared to $928/month in Minot — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fargo has cheaper rent, Minot actually has lower median home values ($254,400 vs $269,800).

Median household income in Fargo is $66,029 compared to $77,431 in Minot (-14.7%). Minot offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fargo spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, more than the 14.4% in Minot.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (42.2°F vs 43.4°F). Fargo receives more rainfall at 24" per year compared to 16.7" in Minot.