Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Warwick?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $43,000 in Warwick.

Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Warwick?

Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Grand Forks vs Warwick Cost of Living 2026

Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/mo est.

Warwick

Rhode Island

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Warwick, RI. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Warwick, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND and $87,536 in Warwick, RI — about 27% higher in Warwick, RI. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Grand Forks, ND

Warwick, RI

Rent

Studio

$784

$923

+18% in Warwick, RI

1 Bedroom

$761

$1,085

+43% in Warwick, RI

2 Bedroom

$947

$1,629

+72% in Warwick, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,371

$1,569

+14% in Warwick, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,300

$322,000

+32% in Warwick, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$63,838

$87,536

+37% in Warwick, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,760

$53,680

+8% in Warwick, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

29.4 yr

44.6 yr

+15.2 yr in Warwick, RI

Homeownership

46.5%

73.4%

+26.9 pp in Warwick, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

39.2%

33.2%

+6.0 pp in Grand Forks, ND

Avg Commute

14.8 min

25.0 min

+10.2 min in Warwick, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

360.3

79.5

+78% in Grand Forks, ND

Property Crime

2,290.6

1,149.5

+50% 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

51.6°F

+11.6°F in Warwick, RI

Annual Precipitation

20.8 in

47.2 in

+26.4 in in Warwick, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Warwick, RI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

29.2

+107% in Warwick, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$25.75

+41% in Warwick, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Warwick, RI

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Grand Forks, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Warwick, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Warwick, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Warwick, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / RI)

+2.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

5.99%

+3.5 pp in RI

Grand Forks vs Warwick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Warwick?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Forks than in Warwick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $43,000 in Warwick.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Warwick?: Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).