Cost of Living in Grand Forks County, North Dakota
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Grand Forks County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Grand Forks County ranks #2,389 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 24%)
Sourced county brief
Grand Forks County Median Gross Rent Reaches $992 Per Month
The median gross rent in Grand Forks County was estimated at $992 per month during the 2020-2024 ACS period. This value is $219 above the North Dakota unweighted county mean of $773. The official B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 27.5%, which differs from the state unweighted county mean of 22.6% by 4.9 percentage points. Median selected monthly owner costs for all units were $1,233, exceeding the state unweighted county mean of $785. The median home value in the county was $252,700, compared to a state unweighted county mean of $175,787. Median renter-household income was recorded at $46,237. These statistics provide a snapshot of housing costs and income by tenure within the county during the five-year estimate cycle. See ACS table B25064 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Grand Forks County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 27.5% of renter household income in Grand Forks County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $992 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,233. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $39,680 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The North Dakota unweighted mean of county median rents is $773 per month. Grand Forks County's $992 median is 28.4% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Grand Forks County
Rent Burden
17.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,588
per month
Owner Cost Burden
21.7%
of gross income
The median home in Grand Forks County may be a stretch
Median home value is $252,700. Estimated monthly cost: $2,017 vs. your max of $1,588.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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