Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Provo?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $39,000 in Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Provo?

Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Grand Forks vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Provo, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 2% higher in Grand Forks, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Grand Forks, ND

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,009

+29% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$761

$978

+29% in Provo, UT

2 Bedroom

$947

$1,128

+19% in Provo, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,371

$1,381

+1% in Provo, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,300

$437,100

+80% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$63,838

$62,800

+2% in Grand Forks, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,760

$48,010

+4% in Grand Forks, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

29.4 yr

23.7 yr

+5.7 yr in Grand Forks, ND

Homeownership

46.5%

39.9%

+6.6 pp in Grand Forks, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

39.2%

45.0%

+5.8 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

14.8 min

18.5 min

+3.7 min in Provo, UT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

360.3

205.7

+43% in Grand Forks, ND

Property Crime

2,290.6

1,280.6

+44% 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

53.4°F

+13.4°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

20.8 in

19.8 in

+1.1 in in Grand Forks, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Provo, UT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

13.4

+5% in Grand Forks, ND

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$11.84

+35% in Grand Forks, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Grand Forks, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Grand Forks, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Provo, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / UT)

6.1%

+1.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

4.50%

+2.0 pp in UT

Grand Forks vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Provo?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Forks than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Provo?: Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).