Can A Lawyer Afford Rent in Williston, ND?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 8.8% of gross income.
Williston rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Dakota state estimate).
About rent and a lawyer salary
Lawyer pay covers comfortable rent in every US city, but the surplus after rent varies sharply by metro. Big-law and federal-government lawyer pay clusters in a handful of cities where rent is also highest, which compresses the affordability margin. At the national-average lawyer salary, the 30% rule supports about $4,412 a month in rent — above the median rent in even the most expensive US metro.
Cheaper rent nearby
These North Dakota cities have lower median rent than Williston, which improves the affordability math on a lawyer salary:
Compare with full rent data for Williston
View full rent data for Williston, ND →Frequently asked questions
Can a lawyer afford rent in Williston, ND?
Median rent in Williston is $1,256 a month. A typical lawyer in North Dakota earns about $171,176 a year, which makes that rent 8.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a lawyer afford in Williston?
Using the 30% rule, a lawyer salary in North Dakota (~$171,176/yr) supports up to $4,279 a month in rent. Williston's current median rent is $1,256/mo, which leaves a $3,023/mo buffer.
How many hours does a lawyer work to cover rent in Williston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $82 an hour, a lawyer in North Dakota works roughly 15.3 hours a month to cover Williston's median rent of $1,256.
Where is rent cheaper than Williston for a lawyer?
Nearby North Dakota cities with lower median rent include Dickinson ($1,255/mo), Bismarck ($1,254/mo), Bismarck ($1,250/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a lawyer salary.