Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Raleigh?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Raleigh, NC's $1,510, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $53,000 in Raleigh.

Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Raleigh?

Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Raleigh under North Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax).

Grand Forks vs Raleigh Cost of Living 2026

Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/mo est.

Raleigh

North Carolina

$1,510/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 $1,510 in Raleigh, NC. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 39% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Raleigh, NC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND and $82,424 in Raleigh, NC — about 23% higher in Raleigh, NC. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; North Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax.

Grand Forks, ND

Raleigh, NC

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,301

+66% in Raleigh, NC

1 Bedroom

$761

$1,323

+74% in Raleigh, NC

2 Bedroom

$947

$1,462

+54% in Raleigh, NC

3 Bedroom

$1,371

$1,715

+25% in Raleigh, NC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,300

$377,800

+55% in Raleigh, NC

Income

Median Household Income

$63,838

$82,424

+29% in Raleigh, NC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,760

$51,990

+4% in Raleigh, NC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

29.4 yr

34.7 yr

+5.3 yr in Raleigh, NC

Homeownership

46.5%

51.2%

+4.7 pp in Raleigh, NC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

39.2%

52.9%

+13.7 pp in Raleigh, NC

Avg Commute

14.8 min

23.4 min

+8.6 min in Raleigh, NC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

360.3

491.5

+36% in Raleigh, NC

Property Crime

2,290.6

2,838.4

+24% in Raleigh, NC

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

60.6°F

+20.6°F in Raleigh, NC

Annual Precipitation

20.8 in

46.0 in

+25.2 in in Raleigh, NC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Raleigh, NC

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.7

+4% in Raleigh, NC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$30.10

+65% in Raleigh, NC

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 Raleigh, NC

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 / NC)

4.75%

+0.3 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

3.99%

+1.5 pp in NC

Grand Forks vs Raleigh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Raleigh?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Raleigh, NC's $1,510, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Forks than in Raleigh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $53,000 in Raleigh.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Raleigh?: Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Raleigh under North Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% 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).