West Fargo, ND vs Williston, ND

West Fargo, ND and Williston, ND have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. West Fargo scores 89 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 West Fargo is $1,075/month compared to $1,106/month in Williston — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while West Fargo has cheaper rent, Williston actually has lower median home values ($262,700 vs $302,200).

Median household income in West Fargo is $96,877 compared to $84,309 in Williston (+14.9%). While West Fargo is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of West Fargo spend roughly 13.3% of their income on rent, less than the 15.7% in Williston.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (42.2°F vs 41.7°F). West Fargo receives more rainfall at 24" per year compared to 15.1" in Williston.