Cost of Living in East Grand Forks, MN

Population 9,067 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023

75
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives East Grand Forks a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $244,000.

Located 75 miles north of Fargo, East Grand Forks is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 10% lower than Fargo's $270,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 80
Rent 66

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in East Grand Forks

The median home value in East Grand Forks is $243,800 — 20% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $872/month, 34% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $74,618/year is equal to than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. Minnesota's top state income tax rate is 9.8% and the combined sales tax is 7.4%. The climate averages highs of 50.6°F and lows of 28.9°F, with about 48.4" of annual snowfall. Overall, East Grand Forks has a cost of living index of 75 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 25% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$243,800
20% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$278,227
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$872/mo
34% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.3x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.1%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$702
1 BR
$784
2 BR
$937
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,537
Owner-occupied 67.9%
Renter-occupied 32.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$872
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,486/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
18.2 min
33% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
81.3%
Carpooled
5.6%
Public transit
0.7%
Walked
2.6%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
5.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 9.8%
Total Sales Tax 7.4%
State rate 6.9%
Avg local rate 0.6%
Property Tax 1.1%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$74,618
0% below avg
Per Capita Income
$36,017
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
32% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Labor Force Participation
71.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.5%
Graduate degree 6.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34
Male median age 31
Female median age 38

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
50.6°F
Avg Low
28.9°F
Annual Precip
21.7"
Annual Snowfall
48.4"
-10° 15° 40° 65° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 162134526776818070543621
Low °F -311529415357544533184
Precip" 0.490.510.911.212.803.773.522.812.261.880.920.66
Snow" 9.97.17.43.50.00.00.00.00.01.66.612.3

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,940
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in East Grand Forks, MN?

East Grand Forks has a cost index of 75 (100 = national average). It is 25% below the national average.

What is average rent in East Grand Forks, MN?

The median gross rent in East Grand Forks is $872 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in East Grand Forks?

The median home value in East Grand Forks is $243,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in East Grand Forks?

The median household income in East Grand Forks is $74,618 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in East Grand Forks, MN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in East Grand Forks is 7.4%. The Minnesota state income tax top rate is 9.8%.

Is East Grand Forks, MN affordable?

Yes, East Grand Forks is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 75 — about 25% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in East Grand Forks?

East Grand Forks has average high temperatures of 50.6°F and average lows of 28.9°F. Annual precipitation is 21.7". Average annual snowfall is 48.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

East Grand Forks at a Glance

Population
9,067
Median Income
$74,618
Home Value
$243,800
Median Rent
$872/mo
Unemployment
3.3%
Avg High Temp
50.6°F
Sales Tax
7.4%
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