Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Grand Forks?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 50% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $30,000 in Grand Forks.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Grand Forks?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% 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).

Annapolis vs Grand Forks Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,830/mo est.

Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,830 in Annapolis, MD versus $920 in Grand Forks, ND. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 50% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND — about 39% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Grand Forks, ND

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$784

+37% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$761

+52% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$947

+49% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,371

+39% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$243,300

+52% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$63,838

+39% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$49,760

+16% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

29.4 yr

+11.5 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

46.5%

+13.3 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

39.2%

+14.5 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

14.8 min

+13.9 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

360.3

+55% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

2,290.6

+8% 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

57.1°F

40.0°F

+17.1°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

20.8 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Annapolis, MD

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.1

+35% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$18.21

+19% in Annapolis, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Grand Forks, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Annapolis, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Grand Forks, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Grand Forks, ND

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Grand Forks, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / ND)

+1.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

2.50%

+4.0 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Grand Forks — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Grand Forks?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 50% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Grand Forks?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $30,000 in Grand Forks.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Grand Forks?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% 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).