City Comparison
Bismarck vs Williston
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bismarck scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bismarck
Williston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bismarck is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Williston.
| Metric | Bismarck | Williston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,249 | -8% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,850 | $2,199 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bismarck offers 42% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bismarck delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bismarck is estimated at
$52,000 vs $43,956 in Williston.
| Metric | Bismarck | Williston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $45,046 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $43,956 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 47,417 idx |
| Household Income | $76,500 | $79,381 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Bismarck sees 1.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bismarck | Williston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.70°F | 43.50°F |
| Summer High | 78.30°F | 77.40°F |
| Winter Low | 3.90°F | 2.10°F |
| Rainfall | 29.60 in | 17.80 in |
| Snowfall | 24.30 in | 23.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 279 | 288 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Bismarck scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bismarck leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bismarck | Williston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bismarck is the larger city
— approximately 2.5x the population of Williston.
From a growth perspective, Bismarck is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Bismarck | Williston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,131 | 29,401 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 32.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bismarck
Advantages
Median home prices remain more affordable than the national average per recent regional housing reports.
Unemployment rates consistently track well below the national average due to a stable government and healthcare base.
Exceptional public safety with violent and property crime rates remaining significantly below national norms.
Short average commute times of under 20 minutes enhance daily work-life balance.
Abundant outdoor recreation access along the Missouri River and extensive local park systems.
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather brings prolonged freezing temperatures and significant snowfall that can disrupt travel.
Geographic isolation limits proximity to major metropolitan hubs and entertainment centers.
Limited public transit infrastructure makes owning a personal vehicle virtually mandatory.
Heating and utility costs spike during harsh winter months.
Air travel options from Bismarck Municipal Airport can involve layovers and higher ticket prices.
Williston
Advantages
The unemployment rate in Williston is significantly lower than the national average, standing at 2.50% in August 2026.
Williston offers a relatively short average commute time of 17.6 minutes, less than the national average.
The city provides ample outdoor recreation opportunities, including access to the Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea for water sports, fishing, and hunting.
The average rent in Williston is 34% lower than the national average, making it a more affordable place to live for renters.
Williston has a strong sense of community and friendly residents, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere.
Drawbacks
The overall crime rate in Williston is 29.9% higher than the national average, with a violent crime rate 21.8% higher.
Public transportation options are limited, making the city highly car-dependent.
Some residents express concerns about safety, particularly regarding walking alone at night.
While growing, the city is noted by some as lacking in diverse attractions and shopping compared to larger cities.
The population has shown a recent annual decline of -0.41%, suggesting a potential slowdown in growth.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bismarck
#65North Dakota, USA
69.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
279/yr
Avg Temp
44.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
78
Business
71
Williston
#293North Dakota, USA
61.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,249
Avg Salary
$45,046
Cost Index
95
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
288/yr
Avg Temp
43.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
70
Business
75
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