Living Cost Compare
Ann Arbor

Michigan

$1,630/mo est.

vs
Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,630 in Ann Arbor, MI versus $920 in Grand Forks, ND. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 44% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Ann Arbor, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,089 in Ann Arbor, MI and $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND — about 21% higher in Ann Arbor, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Ann Arbor, MI
Grand Forks, ND

Rent

Studio
$1,274
$784
+38% in Ann Arbor, MI
1 Bedroom
$1,389
$761
+45% in Ann Arbor, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,692
$947
+44% in Ann Arbor, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,812
$1,371
+24% in Ann Arbor, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$435,100
$243,300
+44% in Ann Arbor, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$81,089
$63,838
+21% in Ann Arbor, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,380
$49,760
+10% in Ann Arbor, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
27.7 yr
29.4 yr
+1.7 yr in Grand Forks, ND
Homeownership
45.6%
46.5%
+0.9 pp in Grand Forks, ND
Bachelor's+ (25+)
77.7%
39.2%
+38.5 pp in Ann Arbor, MI
Avg Commute
19.9 min
14.8 min
+5.1 min in Ann Arbor, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
311
360.3
+16% in Grand Forks, ND
Property Crime
1,744.5
2,290.6
+31% in Grand Forks, ND

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
47.7°F
40.0°F
+7.7°F in Ann Arbor, MI
Annual Precipitation
32.8 in
20.8 in
+12.0 in in Ann Arbor, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
14.1
+39% in Ann Arbor, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$18.21
+8% in Ann Arbor, MI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

Average prices — Midwest vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / ND)
6%
5%
+1.0 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
2.50%
+1.8 pp in MI

Ann Arbor vs Grand Forks — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Ann Arbor or Grand Forks?
Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 44% below Ann Arbor, MI's $1,630, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Ann Arbor than in Grand Forks?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Ann Arbor versus $30,000 in Grand Forks.
Which has lower taxes, Ann Arbor or Grand Forks?
Ann Arbor is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Grand Forks under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).