Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Seattle?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 55% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Seattle?

Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Grand Forks vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,030/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 $2,030 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 55% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 48% higher in Seattle, WA. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Grand Forks, ND

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,638

+109% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$761

$1,858

+144% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$947

$2,359

+149% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,371

$2,918

+113% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,300

$912,100

+275% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$63,838

$121,984

+91% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,760

$72,610

+46% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

29.4 yr

35.5 yr

+6.1 yr in Seattle, WA

Homeownership

46.5%

44.2%

+2.3 pp in Grand Forks, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

39.2%

67.5%

+28.3 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

14.8 min

26.6 min

+11.8 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

360.3

788.6

+119% in Seattle, WA

Property Crime

2,290.6

5,108.8

+123% in Seattle, WA

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

53.5°F

+13.5°F in Seattle, WA

Annual Precipitation

20.8 in

37.7 in

+16.9 in in Seattle, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.41/gal

+41% in Seattle, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.9

+6% in Seattle, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$21.34

+17% in Seattle, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Grand Forks, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Grand Forks, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / WA)

6.5%

+1.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

None

+2.5 pp in ND

Grand Forks vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Seattle?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 55% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Forks than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Seattle?: Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax 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).