Grand Forks, ND vs Minot, ND

Grand Forks, ND and Minot, ND have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Grand Forks scores 79 while Minot scores 80 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 $928/month in Minot — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Minot has cheaper rent, Grand Forks actually has lower median home values ($243,300 vs $254,400).

Median household income in Grand Forks is $63,838 compared to $77,431 in Minot (-17.6%). While Minot 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 14.4% in Minot.

Climate-wise, Minot is notably warmer with an average of 43.4°F compared to 39.8°F in Grand Forks. Grand Forks receives more rainfall at 21.7" per year compared to 16.7" in Minot.