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MarketsNorth DakotaWillistonRental Property Investment Guide

Rental Property Investment Guide: Williston, ND

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Williston, ND

Cap Rate
2.57%
Median Price
$340K
Rent/Mo
$1,300
1% Rule
0.38%
Fails

Market Snapshot

Williston sits in the Midwest with a population of 50,000 growing at 1% annually. The median home costs $340,000 while rents average $1,300/mo, producing an estimated cap rate of 2.57%. Cash flow investing here requires creative strategies like BRRRR or value-add approaches.

Who Should Invest Here

Williston works best for experienced investors with a clear strategy — Section 8, student housing, or deep value-add rehabs. The 2.57% cap rate at median prices is tight, so success depends on buying below market, forcing appreciation through renovation, or accessing above-market rent streams through niche tenant bases.

Deal Criteria for Williston

Target properties priced 15-25% below the $340,000 median — around $272,000 or less. At this price point with $1,300/mo rents, your cap rate improves to roughly 3.7%. Factor in 0.98% property taxes ($3,332/yr), budget 5% of gross rent for maintenance, and underwrite to a 5.2% vacancy rate. On a 20% down conventional loan at 7%, monthly PITI will run approximately $2,186.

Risks and Considerations

Every deal should be evaluated individually using our calculator tools. Median data provides a starting point; actual returns depend on the specific property, financing, and your management approach.

Next Steps

Run the numbers on a specific Williston property using our cap rate calculator (pre-filled with Williston data). Compare Williston against similar markets in the Midwest region. If you're considering a value-add approach, try our BRRRR calculator to model a rehab scenario.

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How Williston Compares

Williston vs North Dakota state average and national average across key investment metrics. Williston's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.

Metric
Williston
North Dakota Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
2.57%
2.76%
3.81%
Median Price
$340K
$284K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,300
$1,126
$1,524
Property Tax
0.98%
0.98%
1.08%
Vacancy
5.2%
5.2%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
1%/yr
1%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby Midwest Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Williston, ND
2.6%
$340K
$1,300
0.98%
Chicago, IL
4.2%
$340K
$2,130
2.08%
Aurora, IL
4.3%
$340K
$2,130
2.05%
Naperville, IL
4.4%
$340K
$2,130
2%
Joliet, IL
4.2%
$340K
$2,130
2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Williston, ND a good place to invest in rental property?
Williston has an estimated cap rate of 2.57%, which is below the national average of 3.81%. With median home prices at $340K and rents of $1,300/mo, pure cash flow investing in Williston is challenging at median prices, but value-add strategies can work. Population growth of 1% and 5.2% vacancy rate indicate healthy tenant demand.
What is the average cap rate in Williston?
The estimated cap rate for Williston is 2.57%, based on median home prices of $340K, median rents of $1,300/mo, a 0.98% property tax rate, and 5.2% vacancy. This compares to a 2.76% average across North Dakota and 3.81% nationally. Cap rates for individual properties will vary based on purchase price, actual rents, and property condition.
How much does a rental property cost in Williston?
The median home price in Williston is $340,000, which is 2% above the national average of $333,419. A 20% down payment would be approximately $68,000. Investment properties in Williston range significantly — targeting properties 15-25% below median can improve your cap rate substantially.
What are Williston property taxes for investors?
Williston's effective property tax rate is 0.98%, which is above the North Dakota average of 0.98% and below the national average of 1.08%. On a $340K property, annual taxes are approximately $3,332 ($278/mo). Property taxes are moderate and manageable.
Full Williston Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

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