Williston, ND vs Monticello, AR: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Monticello, AR costs roughly 5.7x less than Williston, ND. Williston, ND has significantly faster average internet speeds (100 Mbps vs 45 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Monticello, AR is approximately 25% less expensive than Williston, ND based on cost of living including rent. This makes Monticello, AR a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Monticello, AR has a FIRE Score of 89/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 70, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Monticello, AR is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
Williston, ND
United StatesAbout Williston, ND
Williston is a small oil-boom town that quietly delivers one of the best cost-to-income ratios you will find anywhere, with a cost of living index of 69/100 against an average monthly net salary of $5,859/mo. Rents stay sane for a town of 15 thousand, from $894/mo for a one-bedroom outside the center to $2,099/mo for three bedrooms downtown, and a single person can live comfortably on $1,746/mo all-in. The trade-offs are real: a small expat community, an arid climate, and a safety index of 75/100 that is good but not flawless. Come for the money and the 71/100 expat score, stay if you can handle a prairie town that empties out when the rigs slow down.
About United States
Best for families seeking high English proficiency and excellent air travel access, with no retiree or digital nomad visa available. Internet speed of 390.28 Mbps and a large expat community support remote work, but the cost of living index is 100 (global baseline). Key trade-off: no retirement or digital nomad visa, and a complex pathway to residency or citizenship limits long-term stays.
$1,480/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Monticello, AR
United StatesAbout Monticello, AR
Monticello is a dirt-cheap small town where a single person can live comfortably on $1,687 a month, but you get what you pay for. The crime index of 30 is decent, but the nearest airport is a punishing 132 km drive, and internet speeds of 45 Mbps are mediocre for remote work. With a population of just 8,000 and a subtropical climate, it's a sleepy, affordable option for retirees or FIRE seekers, but digital nomads will find the lack of amenities and connectivity frustrating.
About United States
Best for families seeking high English proficiency and excellent air travel access, with no retiree or digital nomad visa available. Internet speed of 390.28 Mbps and a large expat community support remote work, but the cost of living index is 100 (global baseline). Key trade-off: no retirement or digital nomad visa, and a complex pathway to residency or citizenship limits long-term stays.
$1,683/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Williston, ND | Monticello, AR |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1002.25 | $800 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $894.33 | $650 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $2099 | $1100 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $2150.5 | $900 |
| Safety Index | 75 | 70 |
| Internet Speed | 100Mbps | 45Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Williston, ND | Monticello, AR |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $1,663/mo | $1,399/mo |
| Excluding rent | $769/mo | $749/mo |
| Rent | $894/mo | $650/mo |
| Groceries | $239/mo | $137/mo |
| Dining out | $120/mo | $180/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $120/mo | $160/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $290/mo | $272/mo |
| Transport | N/A | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Williston, ND vs Monticello, AR -- Frequently Asked Questions
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