Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or West Valley City?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below West Valley City, UT's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Forks than in West Valley City?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $48,000 in West Valley City.

Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or West Valley City?

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

Grand Forks vs West Valley City Cost of Living 2026

Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/mo est.

West Valley City

Utah

$1,330/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 $1,330 in West Valley City, UT. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than West Valley City, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND and $88,604 in West Valley City, UT — about 28% higher in West Valley City, UT. 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

West Valley City, UT

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,085

+38% in West Valley City, UT

1 Bedroom

$761

$1,191

+57% in West Valley City, UT

2 Bedroom

$947

$1,333

+41% in West Valley City, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,371

$1,723

+26% in West Valley City, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,300

$377,300

+55% in West Valley City, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$63,838

$88,604

+39% in West Valley City, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,760

$55,240

+11% in West Valley City, UT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

29.4 yr

30.3 yr

+0.9 yr in West Valley City, UT

Homeownership

46.5%

71.1%

+24.6 pp in West Valley City, UT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

39.2%

15.7%

+23.5 pp in Grand Forks, ND

Avg Commute

14.8 min

22.2 min

+7.4 min in West Valley City, UT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

360.3

471.8

+31% in West Valley City, UT

Property Crime

2,290.6

1,855.5

+19% 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

52.8°F

+12.8°F in West Valley City, UT

Annual Precipitation

20.8 in

16.1 in

+4.7 in in Grand Forks, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in West Valley City, 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 West Valley City, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in West Valley City, UT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Grand Forks, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in West Valley City, UT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Grand Forks, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in West Valley City, 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 West Valley City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or West Valley City?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below West Valley City, UT's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Forks than in West Valley City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $48,000 in West Valley City.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or West Valley City?: Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); West Valley City 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).