Salary Needed to Live in Fargo as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $47,119/year to live comfortably in Fargo, ND, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $47,119/year to live comfortably in Fargo, ND. The bare-minimum salary is $40,751/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $2,836.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,513/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $3,927/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$47,119
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$40,751
$3,396/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,513
29% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Fargo
| Expense | Fargo | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $662 | $1,351 | -51% |
| Groceries | $210 | $207 | +1% |
| Utilities | $122 | $169 | -28% |
| Transportation | $314 | $316 | -1% |
| Car Insurance | $139 | $211 | -34% |
| Health Insurance | $459 | $630 | -27% |
| Internet | $61 | $65 | -6% |
| Phone | $80 | $85 | -6% |
| Dining & Social | $282 | $300 | -6% |
| Entertainment | $113 | $120 | -6% |
| Personal Care | $71 | $75 | -5% |
| Total Monthly | $2,513 | $3,529 | -29% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,513
Target savings (10%):$323/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$2,836
Effective tax rate:26%
Gross annual salary needed:$47,119
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$662
Studio/1BR rent is 26% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
26%
Estimated federal plus ND state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$323/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
94/100
Fargo is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby midwest Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $662/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $607/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $40,751/year as the survival floor and $47,119/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Fargo
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Fargo?
A single person needs approximately $47,119/year ($3,927/month gross) to live comfortably in Fargo with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Fargo?
A studio/1br in Fargo costs approximately $662/month, which is the largest single expense at 26% of the total budget.
Is Fargo affordable for a single person?
Yes, Fargo is 29% more affordable than the national average for a single person.