City Report · ND

West Fargo

Pop. 40,094·4th most expensive in North Dakota·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate
Median rent (all units)
$1,286/mo
Year-over-Year
-0.8%
Month-over-Month
-4.7%
vs US Median
-$676
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
West Fargo · $1,286
More affordable than 88% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
17% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,286/mo, rent takes about 17% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$51,000/yr
Local median income
$90,665/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using West Fargo's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$770
1 BR
$930
2 BR
$1,130
3 BR
$1,580
4 BR+
$1,900
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,130/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,286 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$15,432/yr
At $1,286/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.8% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-0.8% YoY, -4.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

West Fargo, ND is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 42.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
40,094
Median income
$90,665
Median age
33.3
Renters
35.6%
Age distribution
26%
26.9%
26.5%
12.4%
Under 1826%
18–3426.9%
35–5426.5%
55–648.2%
65+12.4%
Gender
50.9%
49.1%
Male50.9%
Female49.1%
Race & ethnicity
85.2%
White85.2%
Black5.2%
Hispanic3.8%
Asian2%
Other3.8%
Education (25+)
17.9%
36.9%
42.1%
No HS diploma3%
HS diploma17.9%
Some college36.9%
Bachelor's+42.1%
Housing tenure
64.4%
35.6%
Owner64.4%
Renter35.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How West Fargo, ND has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,296 → $1,286
down 0.8%
Income
$93,382 → $90,665
down 2.9%
Population
37,913 → 40,094
up 5.8%
Renter share
32.9% → 35.6%
+2.7 pts
Bachelor's+
43.8% → 42.1%
-1.7 pts
Median age
34.2 → 33.3
-0.9 yrs

Since 2023, the typical rent in West Fargo, ND has fallen from $1,296 to $1,286, a 0.8% change over five years. Household income in the area moved from $93,382 to $90,665 across the same window, down 2.9% versus 2021. The population has grown by 5.8% since 2021, moving from about 37,913 residents to roughly 40,094. Renters now make up 35.6% of households, compared with 32.9% five years ago. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in West Fargo, ND look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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View West Fargo rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in West Fargo on your salary?

At $1,286/mo, how West Fargo rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

West Fargo rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in West Fargo. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in West Fargo

About renting in West Fargo, ND

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in West Fargo is $1,286/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $770/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,130/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $930/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,580/mo.

At 17% of local median household income ($90,665/yr), West Fargo ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is West Fargo an affordable city for renters?

West Fargo is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,286/mo, rent takes approximately 17% of the local median household income ($90,665/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. West Fargo falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in West Fargo?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,286/mo in West Fargo. The local median household income is $90,665/yr, meaning the typical West Fargo household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in West Fargo?

Rent in West Fargo has decreased 0.8% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does West Fargo rent compare to other cities in North Dakota?

West Fargo is one of the pricier cities in North Dakota for rent, ranking #4 out of 11 tracked cities at $1,286/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than West Fargo?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than West Fargo ($1,286/mo): Wahpeton ($876/mo), Fargo ($1,077/mo), Moorhead ($1,241/mo).

What percentage of West Fargo residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35.6% of West Fargo households are renters, while 64.4% are owner-occupied. West Fargo leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does West Fargo rent compare to the national average?

West Fargo's median rent of $1,286/mo is $676 (34%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Dakota, it ranks #4 out of 11 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
17%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,286/mo, rent takes ~17% of West Fargo's median household income ($90,665/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

West Fargo 17%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.1–2.5%
Run the West Fargo affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near West Fargo, ND

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