Grand Forks, ND

Yes — everyday expenses in Grand Forks run about 16% below the US average (Cost Index: 84). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $243,300, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $958, versus $1,348 nationally.

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $958, while local median household income is $63,838. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 18% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

North Dakota has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 1.95%. The effective property tax rate is 0.98%. On a home worth $243,300, that translates to roughly $2,384 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 7.04% on everyday purchases.

The typical monthly rent in Grand Forks is around $958. That's roughly 29% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $243,300, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

The median home in Grand Forks is valued at $243,300. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,230/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 47% of residents here own their homes.

Grocery prices in Grand Forks are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 96, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 77). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

Grand Forks is a smaller city with a population of about 58,882. The median age of residents is 29.4, skewing younger — often a sign of a college town or fast-growing area. The local poverty rate is 16.3%, above the national average of 12.4%.