Grafton, ND vs Rugby, ND

Grafton, ND and Rugby, ND have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.4% difference in their overall index. Grafton scores 65 while Rugby scores 68 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 $829/month in Rugby — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Grafton has cheaper rent, Rugby actually has lower median home values ($147,800 vs $153,800).

Median household income in Grafton is $60,184 compared to $50,580 in Rugby (+19%). Grafton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Grafton spend roughly 14.3% of their income on rent, less than the 19.7% in Rugby.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (39.8°F vs 40.2°F). Grafton receives more rainfall at 21.7" per year compared to 20" in Rugby.