Cost of Living

Fargo Moorhead is one of the 10 best affordable places to live and work, according to an online story posted March 21, 2007, on MSN Real Estate. Based on data provided by Sperling’s Best Places, the story notes that Fargo Moorhead unemployment is the lowest in the country at 2.6 percent, and its central location is turning the city into a leading air-cargo hub. The article states: “Downtown is classic mid-America with a mix of modern buildings and many well-preserved brick structures. Well-kept parks line the waterfront. Fargo is best known as a friendly area with a strong Scandinavian influence and a strong, varied economy including farm-equipment manufacturers and food processors.”

Cost of Living Index

City, State

Composite

Grocery

Housing

Utilities

Transportation

Health Care

Misc.

Fargo, ND - Moorhead, MN

95.5

96.5

82.4

121.9

98.7

98.4

96.7

Boston, MA

135.9

120.7

159.7

135.4

106.4

136.1

131.1

Des Moines, IA

90

86.5

87

98.5

95.5

89.2

89.7

Omaha, NE

89

87.8

78

89

100.3

94.7

94.5

Rochester, MN

101.7

88.1

95.8

110.5

99.9

104.2

109.2

San Jose, CA

153.9

147

248

98

116.7

122.3

111.6

Sioux Falls, SD

94.9

92.6

80.2

106.8

98

104.8

102.1

Chicago, IL

110.1

108.3

126.4

107.8

112.5

102.9

98.6

Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index; Data for Second Quarter 2007; Based on a national average of 100