Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Grand Forks?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Aurora, CO's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $30,000 in Grand Forks.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Grand Forks?

Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Grand Forks under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Grand Forks Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Colorado

$1,310/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 $1,310 in Aurora, CO versus $920 in Grand Forks, ND. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $85,364 in Aurora, CO and $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND — about 25% higher in Aurora, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Aurora, CO

Grand Forks, ND

Rent

Studio

—

$784

1 Bedroom

$1,138

$761

+33% in Aurora, CO

2 Bedroom

$2,284

$947

+59% in Aurora, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,320

$1,371

+41% in Aurora, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$689,000

$243,300

+65% in Aurora, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$85,364

$63,838

+25% in Aurora, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$49,760

+20% in Aurora, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.3 yr

29.4 yr

+5.9 yr in Aurora, CO

Homeownership

46.0%

46.5%

+0.5 pp in Grand Forks, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.4%

39.2%

+2.2 pp in Aurora, CO

Avg Commute

18.7 min

14.8 min

+3.9 min in Aurora, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

952.9

360.3

+62% in Aurora, CO

Property Crime

3,368.1

2,290.6

+32% in Aurora, CO

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.2°F

40.0°F

+10.2°F in Aurora, CO

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

20.8 in

+5.2 in in Grand Forks, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.13/gal

$3.85/gal

+7% in Aurora, CO

Area: Colorado vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

Adult base one-way fare — RTD vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.1

14.1

+18% in Aurora, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.05

$18.21

+21% in Grand Forks, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Aurora, CO

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Aurora, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Grand Forks, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Aurora, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Grand Forks, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Aurora, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / ND)

2.9%

+2.1 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

2.50%

+1.9 pp in CO

Aurora vs Grand Forks — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Grand Forks?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Aurora, CO's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Grand Forks?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $30,000 in Grand Forks.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Grand Forks?: Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).