City Comparison
Rugby vs Williston
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rugby scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rugby
Williston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rugby is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Williston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rugby's average rent is
41% lower than Williston's.
| Metric | Rugby | Williston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $740 | $1,249 | -41% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $185 | $180 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,635 | $2,199 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Rugby offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Rugby delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Rugby is estimated at
$42,000 vs $43,956 in Williston.
| Metric | Rugby | Williston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,365 | $45,046 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $43,956 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,233 idx | 47,417 idx |
| Household Income | $50,365 | $79,381 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Williston sees 0.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Rugby | Williston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 41.20°F | 43.50°F |
| Summer High | 75.30°F | 77.40°F |
| Winter Low | -2.90°F | 2.10°F |
| Rainfall | 20.60 in | 17.80 in |
| Snowfall | 22.70 in | 23.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | 288 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rugby has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Williston.
Rugby scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Rugby leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rugby | Williston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Williston is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Rugby.
From a growth perspective, Rugby is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Williston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rugby | Williston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,481 | 29,401 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 32.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rugby
Advantages
Median home values in Rugby remain exceptionally affordable compared to the national average per U.S. Census data.
Crime rates are significantly lower than national averages, offering a very safe environment for families.
Heart of America Medical Center provides robust local healthcare services and long-term care.
Short average commute times of around 11 minutes eliminate daily traffic stress.
Strong community support and active local economic development programs foster a welcoming business atmosphere.
Drawbacks
Harsh winter weather conditions feature sub-zero temperatures requiring substantial heating costs.
Limited public transit infrastructure creates high car dependency for daily needs.
Modest population decline over recent years presents challenges for local labor market expansion.
Narrower selection of retail shopping and entertainment options within city limits.
Lower median household income levels relative to state and national benchmarks.
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.
Rugby
#180North Dakota, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$740
Avg Salary
$50,365
Cost Index
88
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
286/yr
Avg Temp
41.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
73
Business
65
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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