Bismarck, ND vs Williston, ND

Bismarck, ND and Williston, ND have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Bismarck scores 85 while Williston scores 86 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 Bismarck is $992/month compared to $1,106/month in Williston — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bismarck has cheaper rent, Williston actually has lower median home values ($262,700 vs $291,400).

Median household income in Bismarck is $77,608 compared to $84,309 in Williston (-7.9%). While Williston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bismarck spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 15.7% in Williston.