Moving in or out mid-month in Fargo? Enter your monthly rent and date to calculate exactly what you owe for a partial month, with North Dakota deposit and notice rules for 2026.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Prorated rent is what you pay for a partial month when you move in or out on a day other than the first. With average Fargo rent near $1,000/month, the standard method divides monthly rent by the days in the month and multiplies by days occupied. North Dakota caps the security deposit at one month's rent (with more allowed for pet owners or higher-risk tenants) and requires the landlord to return it, with an itemized statement of any deductions, within 30 days of move-out. A 30-day written notice generally ends a month-to-month tenancy.
| Rule (North Dakota) | Detail |
|---|---|
| Average 1-bedroom rent | $1,000/month |
| Average 2-bedroom rent | $1,250/month |
| Security deposit limit | one month's rent (more for pets or higher-risk tenants) |
| Deposit return deadline | 30 days after move-out |
| Month-to-month notice | 30 days written notice |
| Standard proration formula | Rent ÷ days in month × days occupied |
Example: rent is $1,000, move-in is the 10th of a 30-day month, so 21 days remain. Prorated rent is ($1,000 ÷ 30) × 21 = $700.
Fargo is the largest city in North Dakota and the economic engine of the Red River Valley, with an economy spanning healthcare (anchored by Sanford Health), North Dakota State University, agriculture and agribusiness technology, finance, and a growing software and startup scene.
| Local Metric | Fargo (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 130,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Cass County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 89 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $19.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $39.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $7.25/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,000/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,250/month |
| Median home price | $290,000 |
| Median household income | $65,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 7.5% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.1% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
Divide your monthly rent by the number of days in the move-in month, then multiply by the days you occupy the unit. For example, $1,000 rent divided by 30 days times 15 days occupied is $500. Use the calculator above for your dates.
Average rent in Fargo is about $1,000/month for a 1-bedroom and $1,250 for a 2-bedroom, which is why getting proration right matters when you move mid-month.
In North Dakota the security deposit limit is one month's rent (more for pets or higher-risk tenants). The deposit must be returned within 30 days of move-out with an itemized statement of any deductions. North Dakota caps the security deposit at one month's rent (with more allowed for pet owners or higher-risk tenants) and requires the landlord to return it, with an itemized statement of any deductions, within 30 days of move-out. A 30-day written notice generally ends a month-to-month tenancy.
In North Dakota, 30 days of written notice generally ends a month-to-month tenancy, though your lease may require more. Notice timing also affects your final prorated rent.
There is no statute mandating a specific proration method in North Dakota, but most landlords prorate as standard practice. Confirm the method in writing in your lease before signing to avoid disputes.