Cost of Living in
Williston, ND

The Real Price Tag: Forget the Index, This is the Bleed

The official Cost of Living Index for Williston clocks in at 88.6, which looks deceptively cheap on paper—about 11% below the national average. That number is a statistical mirage for anyone trying to actually live here. It averages out the highs and lows, but it doesn't account for the volatility of a resource-driven economy or the specific, punishing overheads that show up in your bank statement month after month. While the median household income is roughly $84,309, the reality for a single earner trying to establish a stable, non-paycheck-to-paycheck existence is a baseline of $46,369 just to stay afloat. This isn't the threshold for thriving; it's the floor for survival. "Comfort" in Williston means having a significant financial buffer for the unexpected—because in North Dakota, the unexpected is a seasonal guarantee. You aren't just paying for goods and services; you're paying for the privilege of enduring a climate that actively tries to dismantle your property and your resolve.

The Big Items: Where Your Paycheck Goes to Die

The housing market in Williston is a unique beast, a boom-and-bust cycle that has settled into a strange, expensive equilibrium. The median home price sits at $345,000, a figure that would be unremarkable in many suburban areas but feels steep here when you consider the stock of available housing. Buying a home is a calculated gamble, not the "safe" investment it is elsewhere. The market is heated not by a flood of new families, but by a lack of inventory and the high cost of new construction in a region where labor and materials are perpetually in short supply. For a single person, a $172,500 mortgage (assuming 20% down) is a heavy lift, but the real trap is the property tax. In Williams County, property taxes are notoriously high, often rivaling the principal and interest payment itself. You don't just own the house; you rent it from the county every year. Renting, on the other hand, offers little relief. With specific 1BR/2BR data being opaque, the market is dominated by corporate landlords who know they have you over a barrel, especially during the brutal winter months when moving is a logistical nightmare. They charge a premium for the illusion of flexibility, often requiring exorbitant deposits that lock up thousands of your dollars.

Taxes are the silent killer in North Dakota. While the state has a progressive income tax structure, don't be fooled into thinking it's negligible. For a single earner making around $46,369, you're looking at a state income tax rate of around 1.95%. That's not the whole story, though. Williston city tax adds another 1% to the mix. A 2.95% combined hit might not sound like California-levels of theft, but it chips away at the gross, right from the top. The real bite, however, is the property tax. North Dakota consistently ranks in the top 15 states for highest property tax burden as a percentage of home value. For that $345,000 median home, you can expect an annual property tax bill in the range of $4,000 to $6,000, depending on the specific mill levies. That's $333 to $500 a month, straight off the top, before you've paid for a single watt of electricity or gallon of water. It’s a recurring cost that makes the "low" COL index look like a bad joke.

Then there are the daily consumables: groceries and gas. Don't expect a "bang for your buck" scenario here. Everything has to be shipped in, and that cost is passed directly to you. A gallon of milk or a loaf of bread will run you 15-20% more than the national average. A trip to the grocery store for a week's worth of basic essentials for one person will easily top $120, a trip that might cost $80 in a cheaper market. The sticker shock is real. Gasoline is a similar story. While North Dakota is an oil-producing state, Williston is a remote outpost. You're paying for the logistics of getting that fuel to the pump. Expect to pay a premium of $0.20 to $0.40 per gallon over the national average. A $3.60/gallon price tag is common, and in the peak of summer travel or during a supply hiccup, it can spike to $4.00+ without warning. For a commuter, that's an extra $40-$60 a month in fuel costs alone, nickel and diming you to death.

Hidden 'Gotcha' Costs: The Iceberg Beneath the Surface

This is where the budget gets absolutely gutted. Williston isn't a city of toll roads, but the real road tax is your car insurance. North Dakota has some of the highest car insurance rates in the country, and Williston's rates are jacked up even higher due to the high volume of truck traffic, oil field vehicles, and the increased risk of severe weather events like hail. A driver with a clean record shouldn't be surprised to see annual premiums north of $1,500, significantly above the national average. Then there's the weather. Your "standard" homeowner's or renter's insurance is just the entry fee. You will be strongly encouraged, and in some cases required, to purchase separate, expensive policies for specific perils. Flood insurance is a must in many low-lying areas of the basin, and with the increasing severity of storms, a specific hail/wind deductible is non-negotiable. You're not just insured; you're over-insured to protect against the climate's worst impulses.

HOA fees are another nickel-and-dime operation, especially in the newer subdivisions that popped up during the last boom. They can range from $50 to over $200 a month, and for that fee, you often get a poorly plowed private road and a sign. It’s a sunk cost that provides little value. And if you work in the oil patch or a related industry, don't forget the costs associated with that life. Specialized PPE, mandatory drug testing, and the sheer depreciation on your vehicle from driving on unimproved gravel roads for miles adds up. Parking downtown, if you work there, can be another $50 to $75 a month if you don't secure a spot with your employer. These aren't optional luxuries; they are the costs of doing business and living in a place where infrastructure is perpetually playing catch-up with the demands of the industry.

Lifestyle Inflation: The Cost of Not Going Crazy

When the winter temperature drops to -20°F and the wind is howling, you're not spending much time at the park. You're paying for indoor activities, and that's where lifestyle inflation gets you. A beer at a local bar isn't the $5 you might expect; it's $7 for a domestic draft and $9 for a craft import. A simple burger and a beer for a single person on a night out will set you back $30-$35, before tip. There's no cheap happy hour culture here; the demand is consistent because there are only so many places to go. A $100 night out for two is the bare minimum. The local coffee shop will charge you $5.50 for a latte that costs $4.50 elsewhere. Every small indulgence carries a "remote location" tax.

Gym memberships follow the same pattern. While you can find a budget chain for around $35/month, the better, more climate-controlled facilities with a pool (a huge amenity for the long winter) will run you $70 to $90 a month for an individual. A family membership can easily top $150/month. It's a necessary expense for mental and physical health when you're cooped up for six months, but it's a significant line item. Even a movie ticket carries a premium. You won't be seeing a $12 matinee here; you'll be paying $14-$16 for a standard seat. Every aspect of "entertainment" is priced as if you have no other option, because for much of the year, you don't.

Salary Scenarios: What It Actually Takes

To put it all in perspective, here’s a breakdown of what different lifestyles actually cost in Williston. These are not averages; they are operational budgets for survival and sanity.

Frugal Analysis: This is the "keep your head above water" scenario. At $40,000 for a single person, you're taking home roughly $2,600/month after taxes and basic deductions. Your rent for a modest 1BR will be $900-$1,000, leaving you with $1,600 for everything else. This budget is tight. It means a strict grocery list ($350/month), a used car with liability-only insurance ($100/month), and virtually no room for savings. A family trying to survive on $75,000 is in a precarious position, relying on SNAP benefits or significant second incomes. There is no buffer for a blown tire or a medical deductible. This is paycheck-to-paycheck living with zero margin for error.

Moderate Analysis: This is the baseline for a stable life. A single earner at $55,000 brings home around $3,300/month. This allows for a decent 1BR or a roommate situation in a 2BR, a $400/month grocery budget, a car payment, and full-coverage insurance ($250/month combined). You can save a bit ($400/month) and afford a night out once a week. A family at $95,000 is looking at roughly $5,800/month after taxes. This covers a mortgage on a median home ($2,200/month including taxes/insurance), groceries ($800/month), and two reliable vehicles ($500/month insurance/gas). They can fund a 401(k) and put money away for the kids, but a major unexpected expense, like a new roof, would require financing.

Comfortable Analysis: This is the level where you stop worrying about the cost of milk. A single earner at $75,000 nets about $4,400/month. You can afford the $1,800/month mortgage on a $345,000 home, max out a retirement account, drive a new vehicle, and not flinch at a $150 dinner bill. A family earning $130,000 (net ~$7,700/month) has real breathing room. They can handle the mortgage, two car payments, save aggressively for college, and take a real vacation out of state to escape the winter. A $5,000 emergency is an inconvenience, not a catastrophe. This is the income level where the high costs of Williston become manageable rather than oppressive.