CostIndexUSA

Chesapeake, VA vs Fargo, ND Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

VA
Chesapeake
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
More AffordableND
Fargo
90.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Fargo is moderately cheaper than Chesapeake — 7.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chesapeake, you would need $74,300 in Fargo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing18.7%
Chesapeake
99.8
Fargo
81.1
🛒 Groceries1.1%
Chesapeake
96.8
Fargo
95.7
🚗 Transportation7.3%
Chesapeake
103.5
Fargo
95.9
🏥 Healthcare7.4%
Chesapeake
93.7
Fargo
86.8
Utilities13.7%
Chesapeake
89.6
Fargo
77.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Fargo, ND
$74,300
$5,700 less needed in Fargo

Formula: salary × (90.9 ÷ 97.9) = salary × 0.9285. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chesapeake, VA

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
99.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Fargo, ND

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

Chesapeake has 18.7% lower housing costs compared to Fargo.

Income & Job Market

Chesapeake, VA

Median Household Income
$79,300
Per Capita Income
$45,200
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
249,422
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareRetailManufacturingGovernment

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).

Chesapeake, VA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Fargo, ND
5.5×income-to-rent ratio

82% 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.