Hardwood flooring cost in Fargo, ND
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (500 sq ft)
- $5,200 – $11,900
- Per sq ft
- $10.50 – $23.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $9,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #139
- 1 = most expensive
Fargo homeowners pay roughly $5,200 to $11,900 to install hardwood flooring at 500 sq ft, or $10.50 to $23.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Fargo is 5% lower. Carpenters earn a median of $28.34 an hour in the Fargo area, 3% below the US median of $29.12.
Estimate your hardwood flooring cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 500 sq ft in Fargo, ND, standard level
$7,200 to $9,850
About $14.50 to $19.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 41% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,150 | $5,900 |
| Labor | $3,050 | $4,000 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $7,200 | $9,850 |
Cost breakdown for 500 sq ft in Fargo, ND
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,850 | $5,000 | $7,150 | 59% |
| Labor | $2,350 | $3,500 | $4,700 | 41% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $5,200 | $8,550 | $11,900 | 100% |
Where the Fargo price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 70% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.34 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Fargo is 0.94 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 41% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Fargo metro is 95.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 500 sq ft comes to $5,000, compared with $5,250 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (90.9) and land at $0 to $0.
Pick a size, pick a tier: hardwood flooring pricing in Fargo
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Fargo wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$5,200 to $7,850
Standard solid oak, simple layout
Standard
$7,200 to $9,850
Wider planks or a better grade, some stairs
Premium
$9,200 to $11,900
Exotic species, herringbone or complex layout
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| one room (200 sq ft) | $2,100 – $3,150 | $2,900 – $3,950 | $3,700 – $4,750 |
| main floor (500 sq ft) | $5,200 – $7,850 | $7,200 – $9,850 | $9,200 – $11,900 |
| whole house (1,200 sq ft) | $12,500 – $18,900 | $17,300 – $23,700 | $22,100 – $28,500 |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Fargo is 0.94 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 70%) the local median is $28.34 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.34 and $31.06 an hour. BLS counts 880 of them working in the area, 59.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) (47-2042, weighted 30%) the local median is $23.10 an hour, which is 15% below the national $27.15. The middle half of them earn between $19.08 and $31.26 an hour. BLS counts 50 of them working in the area, 3.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 1.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($31.06 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $250. At the 25th percentile ($23.34) it shrinks by about $450. The total moves by 2.9% or 5.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 148,660 jobs in the Fargo area. That makes it the 156th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.10% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 70% | $23.34 | $28.34 | $31.06 | $29.12 | 0.97 | metro |
| Floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) (47-2042) | 30% | $19.08 | $23.10 | $31.26 | $27.15 | 0.85 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.94 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Fargo
Because every project leans on different trades, Fargo's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, bathroom remodel runs −3% and laminate flooring −8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate flooring | 500 sq ft | $1,850 – $6,450 | −8% |
| Tile flooring | 200 sq ft | $2,350 – $9,600 | −4% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,800 – $30,300 | −4% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,600 – $22,700 | −3% |
Fargo against nearby metros and the rest of North Dakota
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Fargo. Sioux Falls is the lowest at about $8,350 (midpoint, 500 sq ft), 235 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, NDthis page | $5,200 – $11,900 | $8,550 | |
| St. Cloud, MN150 miles | $5,400 – $12,200 | $8,800 | +3% |
| Bismarck, ND190 miles | $5,100 – $11,600 | $8,350 | −2% |
| Minneapolis, MN215 miles | $6,050 – $13,700 | $9,900 | +16% |
| Duluth, MN215 miles | $5,400 – $12,200 | $8,800 | +3% |
| Sioux Falls, SD235 miles | $5,100 – $11,600 | $8,350 | −2% |
| North Dakota (statewide) | $5,200 – $11,800 | $8,500 | −1% |
| United States | $5,500 – $12,500 | $9,000 | +5% |
Across 300 US metros, Fargo comes in at #139 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $11,500; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $7,300 (midpoints, 500 sq ft). Statewide, Fargo is 1% above the North Dakota figure.
Other North Dakota metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | 71,270 jobs | $5,100 – $11,600 | $8,350 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Fargo's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fargo against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killeen, TX | 150,580 jobs | $4,750 – $10,900 | $7,850 | −8% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $4,950 – $11,300 | $8,100 | −5% |
| Gainesville, FL | 152,670 jobs | $5,050 – $11,500 | $8,250 | −3% |
| Vallejo, CA | 144,130 jobs | $6,100 – $13,800 | $9,950 | +16% |
Hardwood flooring: what moves the price in Fargo
Solid versus engineered
Solid hardwood is $11-$25 per sq ft installed and engineered hardwood is $9-$20 (HomeGuide).
Materials and labor
Materials are $6-$15 per sq ft and installation labor adds $3-$10 per sq ft.
Layout
Room shape, stairs and installation method change the labor side.
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $7,200 to $9,850 for Fargo, ND is attached.
Detailed hardwood flooring report for Fargo, ND, $9
Multi-page report for Fargo, ND: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Hardwood flooring in Fargo: your questions
+How much does it cost to install hardwood flooring in Fargo?
For 500 sq ft, expect $5,200 to $11,900 in the Fargo area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,200 to $9,850. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for hardwood floor in Fargo?
About $10.50 to $23.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $11 to $25.
+Is hardwood floor cheaper in Fargo or St. Cloud?
St. Cloud is 150 miles away. The midpoint for 500 sq ft there is $8,800, which is 3% more than Fargo ($8,550). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fargo?
About 41% at the midpoint, or $3,500 out of $8,550. Materials are 59% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would main floor (500 sq ft) cost in Fargo?
$5,200 to $11,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does hardwood floor need a permit in Fargo?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $0 for fees in the Fargo area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fargo expensive for hardwood floor compared with the rest of North Dakota?
Fargo is 1% above the North Dakota statewide estimate ($8,500 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in North Dakota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Fargo?
The BLS median is $28.34 an hour in the Fargo area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.34 to $31.06.
+What do basic and premium hardwood floor work cost in Fargo?
For 500 sq ft, basic work runs $5,200 to $7,850 and premium work $9,200 to $11,900. Basic means: standard solid oak, simple layout. Premium means: exotic species, herringbone or complex layout.
Hardwood flooring near Fargo
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.