Fargo, ND vs Duluth, MN: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Duluth, MN is 2.3% less expensive than Fargo, ND (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Fargo works out to about $73,300 in Duluth, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 12.3% less in Duluth. Goods are 0.4% lower and other services 0.9% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,329 a month in Duluth and $1,103 in Fargo, $2,712 a year more in Duluth (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $264,000 in Duluth and $328,000 in Fargo.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Duluth was 5.0% less expensive than Fargo.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 12.3% lower in Duluth than in Fargo
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Fargo, ND
- Duluth, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Fargo, ND | Duluth, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 90.9 | 88.8 |
| Goods | 95.7 | 95.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 81.1 | 71.1 |
| Utilities | 77.3 | 87.3 |
| Other services | 91.3 | 92.2 |
| Category | Fargo | Duluth | Duluth vs Fargo |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 90.9 | 88.8 | −2.3% |
| Goods | 95.7 | 95.3 | −0.4% |
| Housing (rents) | 81.1 | 71.1 | −12.3% |
| Utilities | 77.3 | 87.3 | +12.8% |
| Other services | 91.3 | 92.2 | +0.9% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,103 | $1,329 | +20.5% |
| Typical home value | $328,000 | $264,000 | −19.6% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Fargo | $75,000 | $73,300 | −2.3% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Fargo and Duluth has narrowed since 2008: 8.0 points then, 2.1 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Fargo, ND
- Duluth, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Fargo, ND | Duluth, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.3 | 89.2 |
| 2009 | 94.9 | 92.9 |
| 2010 | 95.2 | 89.0 |
| 2011 | 94.3 | 90.9 |
| 2012 | 95.9 | 90.8 |
| 2013 | 95.3 | 88.5 |
| 2014 | 92.6 | 89.4 |
| 2015 | 94.5 | 90.1 |
| 2016 | 95.4 | 88.3 |
| 2017 | 93.9 | 86.5 |
| 2018 | 93.0 | 90.5 |
| 2019 | 95.0 | 90.2 |
| 2020 | 92.5 | 83.1 |
| 2021 | 92.6 | 89.3 |
| 2022 | 87.9 | 88.5 |
| 2023 | 89.1 | 87.2 |
| 2024 | 90.9 | 88.8 |
Goods
- Fargo, ND
- Duluth, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Fargo, ND | Duluth, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.8 | 96.5 |
| 2009 | 97.5 | 95.7 |
| 2010 | 96.4 | 95.9 |
| 2011 | 96.1 | 95.2 |
| 2012 | 97.3 | 96.5 |
| 2013 | 97.5 | 96.6 |
| 2014 | 98.9 | 98.2 |
| 2015 | 98.3 | 98.0 |
| 2016 | 97.7 | 97.1 |
| 2017 | 95.5 | 95.2 |
| 2018 | 93.9 | 93.4 |
| 2019 | 96.6 | 96.6 |
| 2020 | 96.4 | 96.3 |
| 2021 | 94.2 | 94.3 |
| 2022 | 94.1 | 94.4 |
| 2023 | 97.0 | 96.9 |
| 2024 | 95.7 | 95.3 |
Housing (rents)
- Fargo, ND
- Duluth, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Fargo, ND | Duluth, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 86.5 | 60.3 |
| 2009 | 78.1 | 76.3 |
| 2010 | 84.0 | 61.9 |
| 2011 | 87.7 | 73.1 |
| 2012 | 93.5 | 70.6 |
| 2013 | 85.9 | 59.5 |
| 2014 | 68.3 | 64.6 |
| 2015 | 87.5 | 70.7 |
| 2016 | 93.5 | 62.6 |
| 2017 | 88.7 | 59.4 |
| 2018 | 82.0 | 73.0 |
| 2019 | 87.5 | 69.2 |
| 2020 | 74.9 | 46.5 |
| 2021 | 78.8 | 69.9 |
| 2022 | 63.6 | 74.8 |
| 2023 | 73.6 | 65.2 |
| 2024 | 81.1 | 71.1 |
Utilities
- Fargo, ND
- Duluth, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Fargo, ND | Duluth, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 81.4 | 90.0 |
| 2009 | 81.3 | 88.7 |
| 2010 | 80.5 | 89.3 |
| 2011 | 82.5 | 91.2 |
| 2012 | 82.5 | 89.6 |
| 2013 | 82.0 | 90.9 |
| 2014 | 77.9 | 89.1 |
| 2015 | 78.1 | 86.7 |
| 2016 | 76.8 | 85.3 |
| 2017 | 82.0 | 88.6 |
| 2018 | 89.2 | 96.9 |
| 2019 | 88.7 | 94.6 |
| 2020 | 88.4 | 93.9 |
| 2021 | 90.9 | 95.7 |
| 2022 | 83.0 | 95.7 |
| 2023 | 79.4 | 88.8 |
| 2024 | 77.3 | 87.3 |
Other services
- Fargo, ND
- Duluth, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Fargo, ND | Duluth, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.2 | 99.4 |
| 2009 | 99.7 | 99.0 |
| 2010 | 98.6 | 98.5 |
| 2011 | 95.7 | 96.3 |
| 2012 | 96.4 | 96.7 |
| 2013 | 97.5 | 97.5 |
| 2014 | 96.6 | 96.1 |
| 2015 | 95.1 | 94.0 |
| 2016 | 95.7 | 95.4 |
| 2017 | 94.9 | 94.4 |
| 2018 | 95.9 | 96.4 |
| 2019 | 96.4 | 95.9 |
| 2020 | 96.2 | 95.7 |
| 2021 | 95.1 | 95.0 |
| 2022 | 92.2 | 90.6 |
| 2023 | 89.8 | 90.8 |
| 2024 | 91.3 | 92.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,329 in Duluth vs $1,103 in Fargo
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Fargo, ND
- Duluth, MN
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Fargo, ND | Duluth, MN | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $856 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $861 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $850 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $815 | $856 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $796 | $885 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $785 | $878 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $813 | $873 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $808 | $874 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $801 | $881 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $801 | $886 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $809 | $894 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $818 | $901 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $811 | $893 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $798 | $908 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $816 | $909 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $826 | $924 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $828 | $908 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $833 | $943 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $832 | $931 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $843 | $950 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $851 | $989 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $842 | $983 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $864 | $996 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $880 | $1,015 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $878 | $1,037 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $899 | $1,064 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $909 | $1,073 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $932 | $1,090 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $940 | $1,124 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $949 | $1,140 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $961 | $1,166 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $973 | $1,169 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $995 | $1,176 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,014 | $1,191 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,021 | $1,198 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,030 | $1,222 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,041 | $1,227 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,060 | $1,228 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,038 | $1,254 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,058 | $1,285 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,065 | $1,280 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,067 | $1,275 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,080 | $1,297 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,092 | $1,335 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,103 | $1,329 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $264,000 in Duluth vs $328,000 in Fargo
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Fargo, ND
- Duluth, MN
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Fargo, ND | Duluth, MN | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $204K | $136K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $210K | $139K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $217K | $139K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $223K | $140K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $226K | $141K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $229K | $142K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $232K | $142K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $236K | $144K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $238K | $145K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $238K | $147K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $238K | $150K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $238K | $152K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $240K | $153K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $240K | $155K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $240K | $157K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $239K | $157K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $243K | $161K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $248K | $163K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $250K | $165K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $252K | $168K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $255K | $171K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $255K | $173K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $256K | $177K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $259K | $185K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $261K | $191K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $268K | $199K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $276K | $206K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $280K | $208K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $287K | $215K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $295K | $224K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $296K | $223K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $297K | $222K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $298K | $224K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $302K | $230K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $303K | $233K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $300K | $233K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $302K | $234K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $306K | $240K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $310K | $241K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $312K | $242K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $315K | $244K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $315K | $247K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $317K | $251K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $323K | $256K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $326K | $260K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $326K | $263K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $328K | $264K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.