Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Grand Forks?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $30,000 in Grand Forks.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Grand Forks?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).

Boise vs Grand Forks Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,280/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 $1,280 in Boise, ID versus $920 in Grand Forks, ND. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND — about 21% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Grand Forks, ND

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$784

+23% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$761

+33% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$947

+29% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,371

+22% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$243,300

+47% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$63,838

+21% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$49,760

+1% in Grand Forks, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

29.4 yr

+8.8 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

46.5%

+16.5 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

39.2%

+7.4 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

14.8 min

+4.3 min in Boise, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

360.3

+20% in Grand Forks, ND

Property Crime

1,135.1

2,290.6

+102% 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

52.5°F

40.0°F

+12.5°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

20.8 in

+9.1 in in Grand Forks, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.85/gal

+10% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

14.1

+2% in Boise, ID

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$18.21

+61% in Grand Forks, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Grand Forks, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Grand Forks, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / ND)

+1.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

2.50%

+2.8 pp in ID

Boise vs Grand Forks — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Grand Forks?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Grand Forks?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $30,000 in Grand Forks.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Grand Forks?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).