Living Cost Compare
Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/mo est.

vs
Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 39% higher in Overland Park, KS. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Grand Forks, ND
Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio
$784
$1,270
+62% in Overland Park, KS
1 Bedroom
$761
$1,224
+61% in Overland Park, KS
2 Bedroom
$947
$1,589
+68% in Overland Park, KS
3 Bedroom
$1,371
$1,828
+33% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$243,300
$384,400
+58% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income
$63,838
$103,838
+63% in Overland Park, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,760
$50,820
+2% in Overland Park, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
29.4 yr
38.6 yr
+9.2 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
46.5%
61.5%
+15.0 pp in Overland Park, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
39.2%
62.9%
+23.7 pp in Overland Park, KS
Avg Commute
14.8 min
19.9 min
+5.1 min in Overland Park, KS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
360.3
188.4
+48% in Grand Forks, ND
Property Crime
2,290.6
1,790.5
+22% 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
55.2°F
+15.2°F in Overland Park, KS
Annual Precipitation
20.8 in
40.0 in
+19.2 in in Overland Park, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.1
15.7
+11% in Overland Park, KS
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$18.21
$25.12
+38% in Overland Park, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / KS)
5%
6.5%
+1.5 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
2.50%
5.58%
+3.1 pp in KS

Grand Forks vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Overland Park?
Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Forks than in Overland Park?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Overland Park?
Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Overland Park under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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).