CostIndexUSA

Fargo, ND vs Springfield, IL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableND
Fargo
90.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
IL
Springfield
92.7
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Fargo is slightly cheaper than Springfield — 2.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fargo, you would need $81,600 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing11.7%
Fargo
81.1
Springfield
71.6
🛒 Groceries2.2%
Fargo
95.7
Springfield
93.6
🚗 Transportation+9.1%
Fargo
95.9
Springfield
104.6
🏥 Healthcare+9.0%
Fargo
86.8
Springfield
94.6
Utilities+16.9%
Fargo
77.3
Springfield
90.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Springfield, IL
$81,600
$1,600 more needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (92.7 ÷ 90.9) = salary × 1.0198. 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×

Springfield, IL

Median Home Price
$188,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,150
Housing Index
71.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.6×

Fargo has 11.7% lower housing costs compared to Springfield.

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

Springfield, IL

Median Household Income
$72,200
Per Capita Income
$41,200
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
114,230
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareEducationFinanceRetail

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)

Springfield, IL
5.2×income-to-rent ratio

81% 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.