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Retirement community in Grand Forks, North Dakota

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Grand Forks, North Dakota Retirement Guide

49

Retirement Score

Grand Forks, North Dakota at a Glance

Median Home Price
$237,000
State Income Tax
State income tax (low rate); Social Security fully exempt; partial retirement income deduction.
Avg January Low
-1.3°F
Cost of Living Index
88.7 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
49 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Grand Forks, North Dakota, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
88.7 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$59,079High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Grand Forks's cost of living is 11.299999999999997% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$237,000High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$927High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
45.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Grand Forks using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$514

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$577

Median home price used: $237,000

Median rent reference: $927 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Grand Forks, North Dakota after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
20 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated October 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
20 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
61.6 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Grand Forks scores 20 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Grand Forks

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Grand Forks →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
State income tax (low rate); Social Security fully exempt; partial retirement income deduction.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

North Dakota has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
80.7°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Avg January Low
-1.3°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Annual Precipitation
24.4"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Sunny Days / Year
261 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026

With 261 sunny days a year and an average January low of -1.3°F, Grand Forks offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
100 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
46.4 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
5.1 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
58,935High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
29.1High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
13.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
6.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
39.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
82.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
4.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
4.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
3.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Grand Forks

What is the cost of living in Grand Forks, North Dakota for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 89, roughly 11% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $237,000.

Does North Dakota tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For North Dakota residents: State income tax (low rate); Social Security fully exempt; partial retirement income deduction.

What is the climate like in Grand Forks, North Dakota?▾

Grand Forks, North Dakota has January average low around -1°F, July average high around 81°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Grand Forks, North Dakota?▾

Grand Forks scores 20/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

JOHNSON WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC

Financial Advisor

BRADY MARTZ WEALTH SOLUTIONS, LLC

Financial Advisor

JOHNSON WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC

Financial Advisor

+35 more financial advisors available

Interested in Grand Forks? Talk to a Local Expert.

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