Cost of Living in Grand Forks, ND - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,261 (excluding rent), and $2,362 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,044 (excluding rent), and $4,599 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$21.8 $21.8
$18.25 $18.25
$25.35 $25.35
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$83.9 $83.9
$49.36 $49.36
$123 $123
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.67 $9.67
$8.19 $8.19
$11.16 $11.16
Cappuccino
$4.89 $4.89
$3.42 $3.42
$7.82 $7.82
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$2.45 $2.45
$2.94 $2.94
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.08 $3.08
$1.54 $1.54
$3.08 $3.08
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.08 $5.08
$4.06 $4.06
$8.63 $8.63
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.92 $6.92
$4.94 $4.94
$9.88 $9.88
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$0.88 $0.88
$1.33 $1.33
White Bread (500g)
$3.55 $3.55
$3.33 $3.33
$3.66 $3.66
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.42 $4.42
$2.19 $2.19
$6.64 $6.64
Eggs
$3.54 $3.54
$1.97 $1.97
$6.9 $6.9
Local Cheese (1kg)
$24.43 $24.43
$7.05 $7.05
$24.43 $24.43
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.87 $9.87
$5.26 $5.26
$17.02 $17.02
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.33 $15.33
$9.85 $9.85
$24.09 $24.09
Apples (1kg)
$4.59 $4.59
$2.39 $2.39
$8.25 $8.25
Banana (1kg)
$1.99 $1.99
$1.27 $1.27
$2.7 $2.7
Oranges (1kg)
$4.38 $4.38
$2.18 $2.18
$8.75 $8.75
Tomato (1kg)
$3.22 $3.22
$2.21 $2.21
$8.85 $8.85
Potato (1kg)
$2.26 $2.26
$1.36 $1.36
$6.32 $6.32
Onion (1kg)
$2.87 $2.87
$1.85 $1.85
$4.46 $4.46
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.21 $2.21
$1.4 $1.4
$3.02 $3.02
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.95 $1.95
$1.17 $1.17
$3.17 $3.17
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.09 $10.09
$8.08 $8.08
$12.11 $12.11
Wine (Bottle)
$34.94 $34.94
$8.98 $8.98
$34.94 $34.94
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.67 $1.67
$1.59 $1.59
$2.64 $2.64
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.15 $6.15
$1.64 $1.64
$6.15 $6.15
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.48 $1.48
$1.23 $1.23
$1.97 $1.97
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.23 $41.23
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.83 $5.83
$2.92 $2.92
$5.83 $5.83
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.73 $1.73
$1.65 $1.65
$2.31 $2.31
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.4 $30.4
$27.5 $27.5
$36.46 $36.46
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.81 $0.81
$0.76 $0.76
$0.98 $0.98
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28K $28K
$22.4K $22.4K
$34.1K $34.1K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22K $22K
$21.5K $21.5K
$23.2K $23.2K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$280 $280
$100 $100
$459 $459
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$104 $104
$44.84 $44.84
$178 $178
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$76.5 $76.5
$65.3 $65.3
$83.8 $83.8
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$59.4 $59.4
$17.34 $17.34
$59.4 $59.4
Cinema Ticket
$15.11 $15.11
$11.08 $11.08
$18.13 $18.13
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,473 $1,473
$1,135 $1,135
$2,096 $2,096
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.6K $23.6K
$16.9K $16.9K
$27.4K $27.4K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.5 $52.5
$30.79 $30.79
$82.1 $82.1
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.36 $34.36
$21.48 $21.48
$55.8 $55.8
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.3 $94.3
$65.3 $65.3
$141 $141
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 $111
$63.5 $63.5
$198 $198
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$985 $985
$985 $985
$1,829 $1,829
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$785 $785
$785 $785
$1,473 $1,473
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,715 $1,715
$1,715 $1,715
$3,027 $3,027
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,320 $1,320
$1,320 $1,320
$2,538 $2,538
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,444 $1,444
$1,417 $1,417
$1,471 $1,471
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,427 $1,427
$1,401 $1,401
$1,454 $1,454
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,330 $5,330
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.19
6.7
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Grand Forks, ND - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Grand Forks for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find value there?
Grand Forks offers a calmer balance between housing, daily expenses, and lifestyle pace, making it appealing for longer stays and budget-conscious travelers. You will often find practical apartment options and amenities close to downtown or the university, with a dining scene that favors casual, home-style options. Compared with larger cities, the costs feel steadier and easier to predict when you plan meals, transport, and utilities. Cost of Living in Grand Forks, ND, United States reflects these trade-offs, especially if you value a walkable core and reliable public services. Tip: Outline a monthly plan before you arrive and test neighborhoods briefly.
What does daily life look like in Grand Forks, from housing search to groceries, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Grand Forks includes straightforward housing search around campus and downtown, with options ranging from older rentals to newer builds; you can expect neighborly quiet and manageable commutes. For groceries, local markets and chain stores cover basics, and dining leans toward casual, affordable spots. Transit is practical with a reliable bus network; biking is feasible in good seasons. For work or study, consider co-working spaces or campus facilities. Grand Forks, ND, United States living cost remains balanced if you plan for utilities and seasonal heating. Tip: map neighborhoods by walkability and distance to essentials, then trial a few blocks by foot.
What about quality of life, budgeting, seasonality, and choosing the right neighborhood in Grand Forks?
Quality of life here tends to reward planning and consistency. Use a simple budgeting framework that separates housing, utilities, groceries, and leisure, and build in a small buffer for seasonal heating or travel. Month-to-month costs feel predictable, allowing you to pace expenses as you explore neighborhoods like riverside stretches or university-adjacent areas. In terms of seasonality, winters are longer; plan for indoor activities, winter gear, and energy efficiency. For neighborhood fit, pick areas that balance access to services with a quieter, safe vibe. Tip: look for flexible leases and community events to test how you feel after a full month in each area.
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