City Comparison
Fargo vs Williston
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fargo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fargo
Williston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fargo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Williston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fargo's average rent is
12% lower than Williston's.
| Metric | Fargo | Williston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,249 | -12% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $2,199 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fargo offers 35% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fargo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fargo is estimated at
$48,000 vs $43,956 in Williston.
| Metric | Fargo | Williston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $45,046 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $43,956 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 47,417 idx |
| Household Income | $71,500 | $79,381 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Williston comes out ahead with 18 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fargo sees 7.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fargo | Williston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.60°F | 43.50°F |
| Summer High | 78.90°F | 77.40°F |
| Winter Low | 1.80°F | 2.10°F |
| Rainfall | 28.90 in | 17.80 in |
| Snowfall | 30.50 in | 23.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | 288 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Fargo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fargo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fargo | Williston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fargo is the larger city
— approximately 4.6x the population of Williston.
From a growth perspective, Fargo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Fargo | Williston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,859 | 29,401 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | — |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 32.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fargo
Advantages
Fargo's median home price remains below the national average per 2024 housing data, offering high housing affordability.
The local unemployment rate stays consistently below the national average, supported by a diverse and resilient economy.
Fargo features short average commute times of under 20 minutes, significantly better than the US average.
The presence of Sanford Health and Essentia Health makes Fargo a premier regional hub for top-tier healthcare services.
A thriving downtown and vibrant arts community provide an active cultural lifestyle unusual for a city of its size.
Drawbacks
Fargo experiences harsh, freezing winters with heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures.
Public transit options are limited outside of core urban and campus areas, creating strong car dependency.
Heating and utility costs spike significantly during prolonged winter cold snaps.
Property tax rates in Cass County can be higher relative to home values compared to some other regions.
The local labor market can experience shortages in specialized technical and healthcare roles.
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.
Fargo
#49North Dakota, USA
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
44.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
77
Business
72
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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