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Grand Forks, ND-MN

Cost of living in Grand Forks County, ND

Part of the Grand Forks Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,682/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 72,764 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $782 29%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $466 17%
Groceries $322 12%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $199 7%
State tax $63 2%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Grand Forks County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$777
per month
1 bedroom
$782
per month
2 bedroom
$984
per month
3 bedroom
$1,379
per month
4 bedroom
$1,652
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Grand Forks County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$68,450
per year
Individual earnings
$38,577
per year
Per capita
$39,597
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Grand Forks County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$244,200
Annual property tax
$2,754

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Grand Forks County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$139
per month · 12.6¢/kWh
Natural gas
$60
per month
Annual total
$2,388
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Grand Forks County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.9%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Grand Forks County

State and local tax rates for North Dakota.

State income tax
1.9%
Flat rate
State sales tax
5.0%
Combined sales tax
7.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Grand Forks County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
15.9 min
Drive alone
80.2%
Public transit
0.9%
Work from home
5.5%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Grand Forks County

What it costs to live in Grand Forks County each month.

Single person
$2,682
per month
  • Rent $782
  • Energy $199
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $322
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $466
  • State tax $63
Couple
$4,002
per month
  • Rent $984
  • Energy $239
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $534
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $790
  • State tax $111
Family
$6,528
per month
  • Rent $1,379
  • Energy $298
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $810
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $790
  • State tax $111

Frequently asked questions about Grand Forks County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Grand Forks County?

In Grand Forks County, ND, a one-bedroom apartment averages $782 per month, a two-bedroom averages $984 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,379 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Grand Forks County?

In Grand Forks County, ND, the average household income is $68,450 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $38,577 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Grand Forks County?

The estimated cost of living in Grand Forks County, ND is approximately $2,682 per month for a single person, $4,002 for a couple, $6,528 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Grand Forks County?

The combined sales tax rate in Grand Forks County, ND is 6.97%, which includes the North Dakota state rate of 5.00% plus an average local rate of 1.97%.

Is Grand Forks County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Grand Forks County, ND would need approximately $2,682 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $68,450 per year ($5,704 per month). Grand Forks County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Grand Forks County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Grand Forks County, ND is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Grand Forks County?

The average home value in Grand Forks County, ND is $244,200, with average annual property taxes of $2,754, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Grand Forks County compare to other areas?

You can compare Grand Forks County, ND with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Grand Forks County is in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area.

Other counties in North Dakota

Browse the full list of counties in North Dakota, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in North Dakota

Compare Grand Forks County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources