Grand Forks, ND vs Mandan, ND

Grand Forks, ND and Mandan, ND have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Grand Forks scores 79 while Mandan scores 83 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 Grand Forks is $958/month compared to $1,044/month in Mandan — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Grand Forks is more affordable at $243,300 median vs $246,300.

Median household income in Grand Forks is $63,838 compared to $75,966 in Mandan (-16%). While Mandan is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Grand Forks spend roughly 18% of their income on rent, more than the 16.5% in Mandan.

Climate-wise, Mandan is notably warmer with an average of 43.1°F compared to 39.8°F in Grand Forks. Grand Forks receives more rainfall at 21.7" per year compared to 19.1" in Mandan.