| Index | West Fargo | North Dakota | National |
| Cost of living | 107 | 95 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 123 | 86 | 100 |
| Transportation | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 97 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 98 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in West Fargo is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in West Fargo is 107, which is 7% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in West Fargo are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of West Fargo can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
When it comes to the cost of living in West Fargo, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 22.7% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is West Fargo an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in West Fargo is 33.1% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 1.7% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. West Fargo has a median household income of $131,394, which is 61.6% higher than the national average.
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In West Fargo, the groceries index is 1.4% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In West Fargo, the healthcare costs are 0.3% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In West Fargo, the standard sales tax rate starts at 5%, and the income tax rates commence at 1.1%.
The cost of living data for West Fargo shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $163,400 | $13,617 | $3,812 | $4,902 |
| Renters | $80,455 | $6,705 | $1,877 | $2,414 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| North Dakota | 5% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| North Dakota | 1.1% | 2.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Comstock, MN | 75 | 86 | 13.6% |
| Davenport, ND | 274 | 97 | 3.5% |
| Kindred, ND | 929 | 99 | 0.6% |
| Sabin, MN | 561 | 101 | 1.0% |
| Moorhead, MN | 44,762 | 101 | 1.5% |
| West Fargo, ND | 37,459 | 107 | 6.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Kearns, UT | 37,458 | 109 | 9.5% |
| Owasso, OK | 37,448 | 98 | 2.0% |
| Bettendorf, IA | 37,477 | 103 | 3.2% |
| Prattville, AL | 37,437 | 97 | 2.7% |
| Winchester, NV | 37,419 | 102 | 1.6% |
| West Fargo, ND | 37,459 | 107 | 6.6% |
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