City Comparison
Williston vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Williston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Williston
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Williston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Williston's average rent is
11% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Williston | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,249 | $1,410 | -11% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,199 | $2,451 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 43% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Williston is estimated at
$43,956 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Williston | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,046 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $43,956 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,417 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $79,381 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Williston runs warmer on average — a 43.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Williston comes out ahead with 288 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Williston sees 23 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Williston | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 2.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 288 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Williston has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Williston | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Williston.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati 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 | Williston | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,401 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Williston and Cincinnati.
Open Cost Calculator