City Comparison
Williston vs West Fargo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Fargo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Williston
West Fargo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Williston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in West Fargo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Williston's average rent is
27% lower than West Fargo's.
| Metric | Williston | West Fargo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,249 | $1,700 | -27% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,199 | $2,620 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Fargo offers 30% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, West Fargo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Williston is estimated at
$43,956 vs $52,000 in West Fargo.
| Metric | Williston | West Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,046 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $43,956 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,417 idx | 69,565 idx |
| Household Income | $79,381 | $90,665 |
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 — West Fargo sees 7.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Williston | West Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.50°F | 44.60°F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | 78.90°F |
| Winter Low | 2.10°F | 1.80°F |
| Rainfall | 17.80 in | 28.90 in |
| Snowfall | 23.00 in | 30.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 288 | 270 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
West Fargo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Fargo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Williston | West Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
West Fargo is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Williston.
From a growth perspective, West Fargo 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 | West Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,401 | 41,027 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 33.3 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 2.60% |
| 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.
West Fargo
Advantages
Median household income stands strong at $90,665, outperforming many regional peers per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Crime rates are well below the national average, ensuring a very secure environment for families per local safety reports.
Rapid population growth reflects high local satisfaction and strong economic vitality per municipal estimates.
A high percentage of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, fostering a skilled and progressive workforce.
Proximity to Fargo provides immediate access to major metropolitan amenities while maintaining a distinct suburban feel.
Drawbacks
Winters feature severe sub-zero temperatures and significant seasonal challenges based on local climate metrics.
High car dependency limits viable public transit alternatives for daily errands per demographic transit profiles.
Property tax rates in Cass County can be notable relative to overall home valuations per municipal tax data.
Seasonal weather extremes require higher home winterization and utility overhead costs.
Rental vacancy rates can tighten quickly during peak moving seasons due to high regional demand.
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
West Fargo
#22North Dakota, USA
72.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,700
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
44.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
80
Business
75
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Williston and West Fargo.
Open Cost Calculator