Fargo, ND vs Lawrence, KS: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Lawrence, KS has a modeled overall cost index 1.3% lower than Fargo, ND.

Fargo, ND · modeled 2BR rent
$1,040 / month
Lawrence, KS · modeled 2BR rent
$1,185 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Fargo, ND and Lawrence, KS using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated savings: $99.90/month in Lawrence, KS

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $148,801 in Lawrence, KS

Regional cost estimates: Fargo, ND uses Minneapolis, MN. Lawrence, KS uses Kansas City, MO. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↓ 1.3%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$99.90
Savings
Annual Impact
$1.2K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Fargo, ND

Population:133K
Cost Index:
88.4
100 = national average
Typical Home:$259K

Lawrence, KS

Population:96K
Cost Index:
87.2
100 = national average
Typical Home:$307K

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Fargo, ND

The Peace Garden State

133K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in North Dakota, this city has a population of 133K residents.

Lawrence, KS

The Sunflower State

96K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Kansas, this city has a population of 96K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Fargo, ND vs Lawrence, KS

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↓ 11.1%
Fargo, ND
$2,306
Lawrence, KS
$2,049
Difference
$257
less
Other
↑ 7.3%
Fargo, ND
$1,620
Lawrence, KS
$1,738
Difference
$118
more
Healthcare
↓ 12.6%
Fargo, ND
$763
Lawrence, KS
$667
Difference
$95.87
less
All Utilities
↑ 14.7%
Fargo, ND
$513
Lawrence, KS
$588
Difference
$75.37
more
Transportation
↑ 4.4%
Fargo, ND
$1,260
Lawrence, KS
$1,315
Difference
$55.37
more
Groceries
↑ 0.4%
Fargo, ND
$1,039
Lawrence, KS
$1,043
Difference
$4.06
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$720
To$900
↑ $180
1 Bed
From$860
To$1,010
↑ $150
2 Bed
From$1,040
To$1,185
↑ $145
3 Bed
From$1,450
To$1,645
↑ $195
Fargo, NDZIP-level data

1BR range: $860–$860/mo

Lawrence, KSZIP-level data

1BR range: $920–$1,060/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Fargo, ND
$7,400
Monthly in Lawrence, KS
$99.90
Difference

Home Values

Fargo
Lawrence
$259K
Median Value
$307K
↑ +4.3%
YoY Change
↑ +2.5%
↑ +23.9%
5-Year Change
↑ +41%
$259K
Price Range
$262K - $377K

Homes in Lawrence are 18% more expensive than Fargo

Calculate payment - FargoCalculate payment - Lawrence

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↓ $5.6K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$470
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
3.8%
Rate difference

Fargo, ND

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
North Dakota State Tax
Effective: 1.9%
$2.8K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 26.5%
$39.8K
Take-Home Pay
$9,184/month
$110.2K

Lawrence, KS

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Kansas State Tax
Effective: 5.6%
$8.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.3%
$45.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,714/month
$104.6K

Additional Tax Information

Fargo, ND Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.8%
Property Tax:1.0%

Lawrence, KS Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.7%
Property Tax:1.3%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Fargo
Lawrence
42 Good
Air Quality
46 Good
66.4%
Good Air Days
59.3%
98 High
Climate Risk
97 High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🌪
▲+3.6°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.3°F
14 days
Heat Days >95°F
44 days
▲+3.6°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.3°F
14 days
Heat Days >95°F
44 days

Before moving from Fargo, ND to Lawrence, KS

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Lawrence, KS for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Fargo, ND. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Fargo to Lawrence moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Lawrence, KS by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Fargo, ND vs Lawrence, KS

How do the cost estimates for Fargo, ND and Lawrence, KS compare?

Lawrence, KS has a modeled overall cost index 1.3% lower than Fargo, ND. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Fargo, ND, the model estimates $148,801 in Lawrence, KS. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Fargo, ND and Lawrence, KS?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,040/month in Fargo, ND and $1,185/month in Lawrence, KS. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between North Dakota and Kansas on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Fargo, ND on a $150.0K salary

1.St. Louis, MO
Save $18.90/mo

Similar cost to Lawrence, KS

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