Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Idaho Falls?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Idaho Falls, ID's $970, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Idaho Falls?

Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Grand Forks vs Idaho Falls Cost of Living 2026

Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/mo est.

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $920 in Grand Forks, ND versus $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Idaho Falls, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 8% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Grand Forks, ND

Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio

$784

$818

+4% in Idaho Falls, ID

1 Bedroom

$761

$827

+9% in Idaho Falls, ID

2 Bedroom

$947

$957

+1% in Idaho Falls, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,371

$1,278

+7% in Grand Forks, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,300

$298,600

+23% in Idaho Falls, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$63,838

$69,630

+9% in Idaho Falls, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,760

$46,800

+6% in Grand Forks, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

29.4 yr

33.5 yr

+4.1 yr in Idaho Falls, ID

Homeownership

46.5%

64.1%

+17.6 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

39.2%

31.0%

+8.2 pp in Grand Forks, ND

Avg Commute

14.8 min

18.2 min

+3.4 min in Idaho Falls, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

360.3

365.3

+1% in Idaho Falls, ID

Property Crime

2,290.6

1,235.5

+46% 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

40.0°F

44.2°F

+4.2°F in Idaho Falls, ID

Annual Precipitation

20.8 in

10.4 in

+10.4 in in Grand Forks, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.4

+2% in Idaho Falls, ID

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$11.33

+38% in Grand Forks, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Grand Forks, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Idaho Falls, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Grand Forks, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / ID)

+1.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

5.30%

+2.8 pp in ID

Grand Forks vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Idaho Falls?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Idaho Falls, ID's $970, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Forks than in Idaho Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Idaho Falls?: Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).