City Comparison
Horace vs Williston
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Horace scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Horace
Williston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Williston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Horace.
Housing costs are a major driver: Horace's average rent is
16% higher than Williston's.
| Metric | Horace | Williston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,249 | +16% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,415 | $2,199 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Horace offers 73% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Horace delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Horace is estimated at
$58,000 vs $43,956 in Williston.
| Metric | Horace | Williston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $45,046 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $43,956 |
| Purchasing Power | 79,592 idx | 47,417 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $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 16 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Horace sees 7.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Horace | Williston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.60°F | 43.50°F |
| Summer High | 79.30°F | 77.40°F |
| Winter Low | 1.30°F | 2.10°F |
| Rainfall | 29.90 in | 17.80 in |
| Snowfall | 30.30 in | 23.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 272 | 288 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Williston has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Horace.
Horace scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Horace leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Horace | Williston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Williston is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Horace.
From a growth perspective, Horace is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Horace | Williston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,433 | 29,401 |
| Pop. Growth | 8.50% | — |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 32.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Horace
Advantages
Rapid population and community growth with modern, newly constructed housing developments.
Exceptionally low crime rates and a secure environment ideal for raising families.
Direct proximity to Fargo's major employers, healthcare systems, and cultural amenities.
High median household incomes well above the national and state averages.
Active local park district and family-oriented community programming.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options within city limits.
Severe winter weather conditions with prolonged sub-zero temperatures and snowfall.
Limited local commercial and entertainment options directly within Horace proper.
Rising housing and property values driven by rapid suburban expansion.
Flat regional geography with limited natural topographic diversity.
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.
Horace
#5North Dakota, USA
77.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
272/yr
Avg Temp
44.60°F
Pop. Growth
8.50%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
82
Business
70
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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