Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Grand Forks?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $30,000 in Grand Forks.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Grand Forks?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Grand Forks under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Grand Forks Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,470/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 $1,470 in Chicago, IL versus $920 in Grand Forks, ND. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND — about 15% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Grand Forks, ND

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$784

+34% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$761

+40% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$947

+33% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,371

+12% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$243,300

+23% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$63,838

+15% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$49,760

+9% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

29.4 yr

+6.3 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

45.5%

46.5%

+1.0 pp in Grand Forks, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

39.2%

+4.1 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

14.8 min

+18.7 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

360.3

+33% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

2,290.6

+34% in Chicago, IL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.7°F

40.0°F

+12.7°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

20.8 in

+17.2 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.24/gal

$3.85/gal

+9% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

14.1

+29% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$18.21

+8% in Chicago, IL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / ND)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

2.50%

+2.5 pp in IL

Chicago vs Grand Forks — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Grand Forks?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Grand Forks?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $30,000 in Grand Forks.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Grand Forks?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).