Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Tampa?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Tampa.

Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Tampa?

Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Grand Forks vs Tampa Cost of Living 2026

Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/mo est.

Tampa

Florida

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tampa, FL. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 39% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tampa, FL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 10% higher in Tampa, FL. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Grand Forks, ND

Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,242

+58% in Tampa, FL

1 Bedroom

$761

$1,324

+74% in Tampa, FL

2 Bedroom

$947

$1,673

+77% in Tampa, FL

3 Bedroom

$1,371

$1,729

+26% in Tampa, FL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,300

$375,300

+54% in Tampa, FL

Income

Median Household Income

$63,838

$71,302

+12% in Tampa, FL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,760

$48,940

+2% in Grand Forks, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

29.4 yr

35.6 yr

+6.2 yr in Tampa, FL

Homeownership

46.5%

50.2%

+3.7 pp in Tampa, FL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

39.2%

44.6%

+5.4 pp in Tampa, FL

Avg Commute

14.8 min

24.7 min

+9.9 min in Tampa, FL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

360.3

443.2

+23% in Tampa, FL

Property Crime

2,290.6

1,473.2

+36% 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

73.4°F

+33.4°F in Tampa, FL

Annual Precipitation

20.8 in

46.3 in

+25.5 in in Tampa, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.83/gal

+1% in Grand Forks, ND

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

15.1

+7% in Tampa, FL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$23.62

+30% in Tampa, FL

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 Tampa, FL

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 / FL)

+1.0 pp in FL

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

None

+2.5 pp in ND

Grand Forks vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Tampa?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Forks than in Tampa?: 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 Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Tampa?: Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 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).