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City Report · ND

Williston

Pop. 28,056·6th most expensive in North Dakota·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,256/mo
Year-over-Year
-1.6%
Month-over-Month
-2.6%
vs US Median
-$709
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Williston · $1,256
More affordable than 90% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
81/100
Great value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 16% below what Williston's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,256/mo
Expected by trend
$1,490/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Williston's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,010
1 BR
$1,030
2 BR
$1,160
3 BR
$1,630
4 BR+
$1,950
Research median
$1,160/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$15,072/yr
At $1,256/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 1.6% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-1.6% YoY, -2.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Williston, ND is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, 25.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
28,056
Median income
$79,381
Median age
32
Renters
52.9%
Age distribution
27.6%
26%
29.3%
Under 1827.6%
18–3426%
35–5429.3%
55–647.1%
65+10%
Gender
51.7%
48.3%
Male51.7%
Female48.3%
Race & ethnicity
78%
White78%
Black6.4%
Hispanic10.4%
Asian1.7%
Other3.5%
Education (25+)
35.8%
31.4%
25.8%
No HS diploma6.9%
HS diploma35.8%
Some college31.4%
Bachelor's+25.8%
Housing tenure
47.1%
52.9%
Owner47.1%
Renter52.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Williston, ND has changed in 5 years

Rent
$839 → $1,256
up 49.7%
Income
$75,061 → $79,381
up 5.8%
Population
27,368 → 28,056
up 2.5%
Renter share
54.4% → 52.9%
-1.5 pts
Bachelor's+
26.3% → 25.8%
-0.5 pts
Median age
30.9 → 32
+1.1 yrs

Rent in Williston, ND has increased 49.7% since 2021, going from about $839 per month to roughly $1,256 today. Household income in the area moved from $75,061 to $79,381 across the same window, up 5.8% versus 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 43.9 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 27,368 to 28,056 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.5% change. About 52.9% of households rent today, against 54.4% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Williston, ND look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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View Williston rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Williston on your salary?

At $1,256/mo, how Williston rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Williston rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Williston. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Williston

About renting in Williston, ND

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Williston is $1,256/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,010/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,160/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,030/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,630/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($79,381/yr), Williston ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Williston an affordable city for renters?

Williston is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,256/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($79,381/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Williston falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Williston?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $50,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,256/mo in Williston. The local median household income is $79,381/yr, meaning the typical Williston household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Williston?

Rent in Williston has decreased 1.6% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Williston rent compare to other cities in North Dakota?

Williston is middle-of-the-pack for North Dakota for rent, ranking #6 out of 11 tracked cities at $1,256/mo.

What percentage of Williston residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52.9% of Williston households are renters, while 47.1% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Williston has a strong rental market.

How does Williston rent compare to the national average?

Williston's median rent of $1,256/mo is $709 (36%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Dakota, it ranks #6 out of 11 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,256/mo, rent takes ~19% of Williston's median household income ($79,381/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Williston 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.1–2.5%
Run the Williston affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Williston
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Williston, ND

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