Is Grand Forks expensive to live in?

Grand Forks is among the more affordable of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $761 per month ranks #146 of 158 and is 27% lower than the $1,043 median.

What is the average rent in Grand Forks?

Average rent in Grand Forks, ND runs a studio around $784, a one-bedroom around $761, a two-bedroom around $947, a three-bedroom around $1,371 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Grand Forks?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $761 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year. The median household income here is $63,838.

How much does it cost to live in Grand Forks per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Grand Forks is about $920 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Grand Forks, ND

Population 58,882 · North Dakota

~$920/mo est.1BR $761Home $243,300

Compare with:

The cost of living in Grand Forks, ND is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $761 a month — 27% lower than the $1,043 median across the 158 large US cities we track. Studios average $784 and two-bedrooms $947.

Median household income here is $63,838, 6% lower than the $67,696 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $920 before food and transport. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $761

Studio

$784

1 Bedroom

$761

2 Bedroom

$947

3 Bedroom

$1,371

Buying a Home$243,300

Median Home Value

$243,300

Income$63,838

Median Household Income

$63,838

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,760

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesMidwest

Milk (gal)

$4.31

Bread (lb)

$1.66

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, Midwest (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities14.1¢/kWh

Electricity

14.1¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$18.21/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-06-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.85/gal

Regular Gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2))

$3.85/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-31.

State Taxes (ND)5% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 2.50%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime360.3 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

360.3

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

2,290.6

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Grand Forks Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 29.4 yrs

Median Age

29.4 yrs

Homeownership

46.5%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

39.2%

Avg Commute

14.8 min

Climate40.0°F

Avg Annual Temperature

40.0°F

Annual Precipitation

20.8 in

Grand Forks cost of living — FAQ

Is Grand Forks expensive to live in?: Grand Forks is among the more affordable of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $761 per month ranks #146 of 158 and is 27% lower than the $1,043 median.
What is the average rent in Grand Forks?: Average rent in Grand Forks, ND runs a studio around $784, a one-bedroom around $761, a two-bedroom around $947, a three-bedroom around $1,371 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Grand Forks?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $761 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year. The median household income here is $63,838.
How much does it cost to live in Grand Forks per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Grand Forks is about $920 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Grand Forks with nearby cities

Grand Forks vs Fargo Grand Forks vs Aberdeen Grand Forks vs Bismarck Grand Forks vs Minneapolis Grand Forks vs St. Paul Grand Forks vs Sioux Falls

Nearby cities

Fargo, ND 73 mi Aberdeen, SD 183 mi Bismarck, ND 192 mi Minneapolis, MN 271 mi St. Paul, MN 278 mi Sioux Falls, SD 303 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.