CostIndexUSA

Fargo, ND vs Manchester, NH Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableND
Fargo
90.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
NH
Manchester
105.7
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Fargo is significantly cheaper than Manchester — 16.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fargo, you would need $93,000 in Manchester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+65.5%
Fargo
81.1
Manchester
134.2
🛒 Groceries+2.1%
Fargo
95.7
Manchester
97.7
🚗 Transportation+13.6%
Fargo
95.9
Manchester
108.9
🏥 Healthcare+13.5%
Fargo
86.8
Manchester
98.5
Utilities+72.7%
Fargo
77.3
Manchester
133.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Manchester, NH
$93,000
$13,000 more needed in Manchester

Formula: salary × (105.7 ÷ 90.9) = salary × 1.1628. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fargo, ND

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

Manchester, NH

Median Home Price
$503,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
134.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.0×

Manchester has 65.5% higher housing costs compared to Fargo.

Income & Job Market

Fargo, ND

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

Manchester, NH

Median Household Income
$103,700
Per Capita Income
$59,100
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Population
115,644
Top Industries
HealthcareFinanceTechnologyManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

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

Fargo, ND
5.5×income-to-rent ratio

82% of income left after rent (median)

Manchester, NH
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

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.