Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Williston, ND and New York, NY

For one person, living is cheaper in Williston, ND: $2,269 a month against $4,906 in New York, NY, rent and utilities included – about $31,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Williston, ND, United States
New York, NY, United States
Williston, ND
🇺🇸 United States
$2,269
/mo nomad
New York, NY
🇺🇸 United States
$4,906
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Williston, ND and in New York, NY

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Williston, ND and in New York, NY actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,269 per month in Williston, ND vs $4,906 in New York, NY, rent included.

  • Williston, ND $2,269
  • New York, NY $4,906

A couple spends around $3,718 per month in Williston, ND vs $7,273 in New York, NY, rent included.

  • Williston, ND $3,718
  • New York, NY $7,273

A family of three spends $5,166 per month in Williston, ND vs $9,641 in New York, NY, rent included.

  • Williston, ND $5,166
  • New York, NY $9,641

Williston, ND is about 54% cheaper than New York, NY, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Williston, ND and New York, NY sit above the global median – Williston, ND by 68%, New York, NY by 263%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Williston, ND
New York, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.07 $20.07
$26.93 $26.93
-25.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.9 $75.9
$117 $117
-35.02%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.36 $11.36
$14.60 $14.60
-22.19%
Cappuccino
$5.23 $5.23
$6.54 $6.54
-20.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 $2.75
$3.86 $3.86
-28.76%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.95 $2.95
-31.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.39 $5.39
$8.08 $8.08
-33.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.83 $6.83
$9.85 $9.85
-30.66%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Williston, ND
New York, NY
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$1.31 $1.31
-26.72%
White Bread (500g)
$2.04 $2.04
$4.97 $4.97
-58.95%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.10 $4.10
$7.70 $7.70
-46.75%
Eggs
$4.12 $4.12
$6.09 $6.09
-32.35%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$30.04 $30.04
$19.55 $19.55
53.66%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.64 $12.64
$17.59 $17.59
-28.14%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.94 $13.94
$20.26 $20.26
-31.19%
Apples (1kg)
$5.18 $5.18
$6.99 $6.99
-25.89%
Banana (1kg)
$1.85 $1.85
$2.21 $2.21
-16.29%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.24 $4.24
$6.72 $6.72
-36.90%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.70 $4.70
$7.12 $7.12
-33.99%
Potato (1kg)
$2.86 $2.86
$4.61 $4.61
-37.96%
Onion (1kg)
$2.96 $2.96
$4.78 $4.78
-38.08%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.11 $2.11
$2.87 $2.87
-26.48%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.20 $2.20
$2.69 $2.69
-18.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.15 $10.15
$19.14 $19.14
-46.97%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.37 $15.37
$19.63 $19.63
-21.70%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$3.32 $3.32
-42.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 $3.72
$4.19 $4.19
-11.22%
🚌 Getting Around
Williston, ND
New York, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.83 $1.83
$3.02 $3.02
-39.40%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$68.8 $68.8
$139 $139
-50.66%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.00 $3.00
$3.04 $3.04
-1.32%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.52 $1.52
$2.20 $2.20
-30.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$32.58 $32.58
$41.33 $41.33
-21.17%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.06 $1.06
$1.13 $1.13
-6.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.2K $24.2K
$34.5K $34.5K
-29.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.8K $24.8K
$25.8K $25.8K
-3.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Williston, ND
New York, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$197 $197
$232 $232
-15.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.7 $58.7
$71.0 $71.0
-17.40%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.5 $74.5
$67.7 $67.7
10.16%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Williston, ND
New York, NY
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.64 $41.64
$115 $115
-63.91%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$76.8 $76.8
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.64 $13.64
$22.41 $22.41
-39.13%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Williston, ND
New York, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,360 $1,360
$3,606 $3,606
-62.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.1K $20.1K
$68.7K $68.7K
-70.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Williston, ND
New York, NY
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.5 $53.5
$79.3 $79.3
-32.48%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.89 $40.89
$51.4 $51.4
-20.45%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.6 $95.6
$121 $121
-21.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103 $103
$140 $140
-26.43%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Williston, ND
New York, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$997 $997
$4,555 $4,555
-78.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$901 $901
$3,040 $3,040
-70.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,057 $2,057
$9,742 $9,742
-78.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,154 $2,154
$5,331 $5,331
-59.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,237 $2,237
$18.2K $18.2K
-87.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,273 $2,273
$6,685 $6,685
-66.00%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Williston, ND
New York, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,795 $5,795
$5,096 $5,096
13.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.59
6.89
-4.35%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Williston, ND: November 2, 2026

Last update for New York, NY: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Williston, ND
$901
New York, NY
$3K 237% $2.1K
Groceries & Markets
Williston, ND
$433
New York, NY
$567 31.2% $135
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Williston, ND
$330
New York, NY
$371 12.3% $41
Eating Out
Williston, ND
$317
New York, NY
$425 34.1% $108
Clothing & Footwear
Williston, ND
$132
New York, NY
$176 33.7% $44
Getting Around
Williston, ND
$87
New York, NY
$165 91% $79
Sport & Entertainment
Williston, ND
$69
New York, NY
$160 132% $91

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $997 in Williston, ND versus $4,555 in New York, NY. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 14% higher in Williston, ND, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $76 in Williston, ND versus $117 in New York, NY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $433 vs $567 – making Williston, ND the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Williston, ND
🇺🇸 New York, NY
🕒 Local time
08:42 8:42 AM
09:42 9:42 AM
1 h ahead of Williston, ND
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
30,000
8,804,190
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.893 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Williston, ND New York, NY 2,470 km ≈ 3 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Williston, ND
  • New York, NY

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Williston, ND vs New York, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Williston, ND or New York, NY?
New York, NY costs about 116% more than Williston, ND, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Williston, ND and in New York, NY?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,403 per month in Williston, ND and $7,358 in New York, NY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Williston, ND or New York, NY?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Williston, ND, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $997 there versus $4,555 in New York, NY.
How do childcare costs compare in Williston, ND and in New York, NY?
Kindergarten costs $1,360 per month in Williston, ND and $3,606 in New York, NY. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Williston, ND or in New York, NY?
Groceries cost about 31% more in New York, NY, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Williston, ND or in New York, NY?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Williston, ND, where all-in costs run around $2,269, than in New York, NY at $4,906. In Williston, ND it covers expenses comfortably, while in New York, NY it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Williston, ND – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
For expats, Williston, ND is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 54% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

Williston, ND vs other spots: cost of living compared

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