| Index | Williston | North Dakota | National |
| Cost of living | 108 | 95 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 128 | 86 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 93 | 98 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Williston can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Williston cost of living index is 108, which is 8% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in Williston closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Williston can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
When it comes to the cost of living in Williston, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 28.5% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 10 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Williston. The feedback revealed that 40% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 60% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Williston an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Williston is 38% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 6.2% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Williston has a median household income of $112,506, which is 38.3% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Williston, the housing index is 28.5% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Williston, healthcare costs are 1.1% lower than the national average.
The Williston cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $148,277 | $12,356 | $3,460 | $4,449 |
| Renters | $94,963 | $7,914 | $2,216 | $2,849 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| North Dakota | 5% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| North Dakota | 1.1% | 2.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Springbrook, ND | 14 | 99 | 1.4% |
| Epping, ND | 82 | 99 | 1.3% |
| Williston, ND | 28,744 | 108 | 7.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Slidell, LA | 28,740 | 100 | 0.4% |
| Zionsville, IN | 28,737 | 124 | 24.5% |
| Washington, UT | 28,756 | 122 | 21.5% |
| Hobart, IN | 28,763 | 94 | 5.6% |
| Immokalee, FL | 28,766 | 97 | 3.2% |
| Williston, ND | 28,744 | 108 | 7.6% |
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