CostIndexUSA

Aurora, IL vs Fargo, ND Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Aurora
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableND
Fargo
90.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Fargo is moderately cheaper than Aurora — 12.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $70,200 in Fargo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing−27.6%
Aurora
112
Fargo
81.1
🛒 Groceries−10.8%
Aurora
107.3
Fargo
95.7
🚗 Transportation−9.1%
Aurora
105.5
Fargo
95.9
🏥 Healthcare−9.1%
Aurora
95.5
Fargo
86.8
⚡ Utilities−7.5%
Aurora
83.6
Fargo
77.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Aurora to see what you'd need to earn in Fargo to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
→
Equivalent salary in Fargo, ND
$70,200
$9,800 less needed in Fargo

Formula: salary × (90.9 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8774. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Aurora, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Fargo, ND

Median Home Price
$313,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
81.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.7×

Aurora has 27.6% lower housing costs compared to Fargo.

Income & Job Market

Aurora, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
197,899
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

Fargo, ND

Median Household Income
$72,900
Per Capita Income
$41,600
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
125,990
Top Industries
HealthcareFinanceEducationTechnologyRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Aurora, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Fargo, ND
5.5×income-to-rent ratio

82% of income left after rent (median)

Aurora vs other cities

Aurora, IL
vs
Bloomington, IL
Index: 103.6Index: 93.5
Aurora, IL
vs
Champaign, IL
Index: 103.6Index: 92.7
Aurora, IL
vs
Chicago, IL
Index: 103.6Index: 103.6
Aurora, IL
vs
Overland Park, KS
Index: 103.6Index: 92.5
Aurora, IL
vs
Grand Rapids, MI
Index: 103.6Index: 95.5

Fargo vs other cities

Fargo, ND
vs
Bismarck, ND
Index: 90.9Index: 91
Fargo, ND
vs
Allentown, PA
Index: 90.9Index: 100
Fargo, ND
vs
Columbia, MO
Index: 90.9Index: 89.4
Fargo, ND
vs
Topeka, KS
Index: 90.9Index: 88.8
Fargo, ND
vs
Abilene, TX
Index: 90.9Index: 90.4

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.