Yikes! Williston Housing Prices Still High—But North Dakota’s Still a Bargain

Have you seen the house prices around Williston lately? Yikes! While the national housing market is starting to cool down and become a bit more buyer-friendly, it still feels like someone forgot to tell that to western North Dakota. Around here, home prices still feel steep, especially if you're house hunting in or near Williston.

That said, there’s a glimmer of hope, at least compared to our neighbors.

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Think the Grass Is Greener Next Door? Not with These Homebuyer Salaries!

A new study from Realtor.com shows how much income you need to buy a home in each state. If you're thinking about crossing the border to find a better deal, you might want to think twice. In Montana, for example, you'd need to earn a jaw-dropping $171,000 per year to afford a home. That’s mountain money! South Dakota is a little easier on the wallet, but you still need to bring home around $103,000 annually. Minnesota? Slightly more at about $105,000 (which honestly feels lower than expected).

Read More: Community Steps Up With School Supply Drive In Williston

North Dakota Tops the Region for Affordability—But Williston Still Feels Pricey

Here’s the good news: North Dakota is actually the most affordable in the bunch. According to the study, you’d need to earn roughly $98,000 per year to buy a home here. Keep in mind that’s an average for the whole state. It doesn’t break down what kind of home you’d get in, say, Fargo versus Williston. And anyone who’s browsed local listings knows that in oil country, $98K might not get you quite as far as you’d hope.

Still, it’s a reminder that even though housing prices feel sky-high here, things could be a whole lot worse just a few miles over the border. So if you're house hunting, don’t lose hope! Just bring a little extra patience, and a bigger down payment too!