Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Jackson?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Jackson, MS's $1,000, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Jackson?

Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Grand Forks vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/mo est.

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,000/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 $1,000 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Jackson, MS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 32% higher in Grand Forks, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Grand Forks, ND

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,085

+38% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$761

$816

+7% in Jackson, MS

2 Bedroom

$947

$991

+5% in Jackson, MS

3 Bedroom

$1,371

$1,121

+18% in Grand Forks, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,300

$108,200

+56% in Grand Forks, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$63,838

$43,238

+32% in Grand Forks, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,760

$42,850

+14% in Grand Forks, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

29.4 yr

34.7 yr

+5.3 yr in Jackson, MS

Homeownership

46.5%

48.6%

+2.1 pp in Jackson, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

39.2%

28.6%

+10.6 pp in Grand Forks, ND

Avg Commute

14.8 min

20.2 min

+5.4 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

360.3

—

Property Crime

2,290.6

—

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

65.3°F

+25.3°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

20.8 in

54.3 in

+33.5 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Grand Forks, ND

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.9

+5% in Jackson, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$29.04

+59% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Grand Forks, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Jackson, MS

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Grand Forks, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Grand Forks, ND

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Grand Forks, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / MS)

+2.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

4.00%

+1.5 pp in MS

Grand Forks vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Jackson?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Jackson, MS's $1,000, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Forks than in Jackson?: 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 Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Jackson?: Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% 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).