| Index | Grand Forks | North Dakota | National |
| Cost of living | 101 | 95 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 108 | 86 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 97 | 98 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Grand Forks is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Grand Forks is 101, which is 1% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
The cost of living in Grand Forks aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Grand Forks residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 19 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Grand Forks and this is how they responded. 26% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 74% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Grand Forks an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Grand Forks is 17.4% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 14.9% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Grand Forks has a median household income of $73,749, which is 9.3% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Grand Forks, the standard sales tax rate starts at 5%, and the income tax rates commence at 1.1%.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Grand Forks, the utilities index registers 1.9% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Grand Forks are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $127,719 | $10,643 | $2,980 | $3,832 |
| Renters | $49,030 | $4,086 | $1,144 | $1,471 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| North Dakota | 5% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| North Dakota | 1.1% | 2.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Fisher, MN | 530 | 91 | 8.7% |
| Manvel, ND | 336 | 96 | 3.7% |
| East Grand Forks, MN | 8,756 | 100 | 0.5% |
| Thompson, ND | 1,172 | 100 | 0.1% |
| Grand Forks, ND | 58,685 | 101 | 1.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Towson, MD | 58,727 | 133 | 33.3% |
| Shoreline, WA | 58,611 | 160 | 60.0% |
| Midwest City, OK | 58,587 | 88 | 11.9% |
| Hanford, CA | 58,807 | 118 | 17.5% |
| Richland, WA | 58,941 | 120 | 19.7% |
| Grand Forks, ND | 58,685 | 101 | 1.4% |
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