Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Worcester?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $41,000 in Worcester.

Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Worcester?

Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Grand Forks vs Worcester Cost of Living 2026

Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/mo est.

Worcester

Massachusetts

$1,340/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 $1,340 in Worcester, MA. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Worcester, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND and $67,544 in Worcester, MA — about 5% higher in Worcester, MA. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Grand Forks, ND

Worcester, MA

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,087

+39% in Worcester, MA

1 Bedroom

$761

$1,028

+35% in Worcester, MA

2 Bedroom

$947

$1,476

+56% in Worcester, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,371

$1,675

+22% in Worcester, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,300

$339,500

+40% in Worcester, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$63,838

$67,544

+6% in Worcester, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,760

$57,830

+16% in Worcester, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

29.4 yr

34.1 yr

+4.7 yr in Worcester, MA

Homeownership

46.5%

42.4%

+4.1 pp in Grand Forks, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

39.2%

34.1%

+5.1 pp in Grand Forks, ND

Avg Commute

14.8 min

25.1 min

+10.3 min in Worcester, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

360.3

640.2

+78% in Worcester, MA

Property Crime

2,290.6

1,580.3

+31% 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

47.9°F

+7.9°F in Worcester, MA

Annual Precipitation

20.8 in

48.1 in

+27.3 in in Worcester, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.07/gal

+6% in Worcester, MA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

29.6

+110% in Worcester, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$30.66

+68% in Worcester, MA

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 Worcester, MA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Grand Forks, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Worcester, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Worcester, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Worcester, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / MA)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

9.00%

+6.5 pp in MA

Grand Forks vs Worcester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Forks or Worcester?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Forks than in Worcester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Grand Forks versus $41,000 in Worcester.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Forks or Worcester?: Grand Forks is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).