Grafton, ND vs Oakes, ND

Grafton, ND and Oakes, ND have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.9% difference in their overall index. Grafton scores 65 while Oakes scores 67 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Grafton is $715/month compared to $740/month in Oakes — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Grafton is more affordable at $153,800 median vs $160,100.

Median household income in Grafton is $60,184 compared to $64,750 in Oakes (-7.1%). While Oakes is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Grafton spend roughly 14.3% of their income on rent, more than the 13.7% in Oakes.

Climate-wise, Oakes is notably warmer with an average of 44°F compared to 39.8°F in Grafton. Oakes receives more rainfall at 21.8" per year compared to 21.7" in Grafton.