Is it cheaper to live in Dallas or Grand Forks?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Dallas, TX's $1,480, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in Dallas versus $30,000 in Grand Forks.

Which has lower taxes, Dallas or Grand Forks?

Dallas is taxed under Texas's rules (no state income tax 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).

Dallas vs Grand Forks Cost of Living 2026

Dallas

Texas

$1,480/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 $1,480 in Dallas, TX versus $920 in Grand Forks, ND. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Dallas, TX, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,760 in Dallas, TX and $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND — about 6% higher in Dallas, TX. Texas has no state income tax 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.

Dallas, TX

Grand Forks, ND

Rent

Studio

$1,259

$784

+38% in Dallas, TX

1 Bedroom

$1,280

$761

+41% in Dallas, TX

2 Bedroom

$1,500

$947

+37% in Dallas, TX

3 Bedroom

$1,559

$1,371

+12% in Dallas, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$295,300

$243,300

+18% in Dallas, TX

Income

Median Household Income

$67,760

$63,838

+6% in Dallas, TX

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,440

$49,760

+3% in Dallas, TX

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.4 yr

29.4 yr

+4.0 yr in Dallas, TX

Homeownership

42.4%

46.5%

+4.1 pp in Grand Forks, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.4%

39.2%

+1.8 pp in Grand Forks, ND

Avg Commute

26.0 min

14.8 min

+11.2 min in Dallas, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

661.9

360.3

+46% in Dallas, TX

Property Crime

3,412.9

2,290.6

+33% in Dallas, TX

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

67.2°F

40.0°F

+27.2°F in Dallas, TX

Annual Precipitation

37.6 in

20.8 in

+16.8 in in Dallas, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.58/gal

$3.85/gal

+8% in Grand Forks, ND

Area: Texas vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

14.1

+11% in Dallas, TX

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.89

$18.21

+43% in Dallas, TX

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 Dallas, TX

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 (TX / ND)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

None

2.50%

+2.5 pp in ND

Dallas vs Grand Forks — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Dallas or Grand Forks?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Dallas, TX's $1,480, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Dallas than in Grand Forks?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in Dallas versus $30,000 in Grand Forks.
Which has lower taxes, Dallas or Grand Forks?: Dallas is taxed under Texas's rules (no state income tax 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).