Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Mesa?

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

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $52,000 in Mesa.

Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Mesa?

Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Mesa under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Grand Forks vs Mesa Cost of Living 2026

Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/mo est.

Mesa

Arizona

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

Median household income is $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND and $78,779 in Mesa, AZ — about 19% higher in Mesa, AZ. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Grand Forks, ND

Mesa, AZ

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,209

+54% in Mesa, AZ

1 Bedroom

$761

$1,288

+69% in Mesa, AZ

2 Bedroom

$947

$1,458

+54% in Mesa, AZ

3 Bedroom

$1,371

$1,819

+33% in Mesa, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,300

$364,300

+50% in Mesa, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$63,838

$78,779

+23% in Mesa, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,760

$51,380

+3% in Mesa, AZ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

29.4 yr

37.2 yr

+7.8 yr in Mesa, AZ

Homeownership

46.5%

64.4%

+17.9 pp in Mesa, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

39.2%

31.5%

+7.7 pp in Grand Forks, ND

Avg Commute

14.8 min

25.0 min

+10.2 min in Mesa, AZ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

360.3

486.2

+35% in Mesa, AZ

Property Crime

2,290.6

1,488

+35% 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

75.1°F

+35.1°F in Mesa, AZ

Annual Precipitation

20.8 in

8.0 in

+12.8 in in Grand Forks, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.21/gal

+35% in Mesa, AZ

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

15.2

+8% in Mesa, AZ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$24.74

+36% in Mesa, AZ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Mesa, AZ

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Mesa, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Grand Forks, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Mesa, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Grand Forks, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Mesa, AZ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / AZ)

5.6%

+0.6 pp in AZ

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

about equal

Grand Forks vs Mesa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Mesa?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Mesa, AZ's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Forks than in Mesa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $52,000 in Mesa.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Mesa?: Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Mesa under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).