Williston, ND, United States

Capital City

Living in Williston means dealing with a population boom that has nearly doubled the city's size to 29,160 since 2010, driven by the North Dakota oil boom. The median household income of $80,352 is high, but so are apartment rents, which were the highest in the US as of 2014. Bitterly cold winters with sub-zero temperatures are the norm, and the bureaucracy around housing has become a persistent headache. Williston may appeal to those seeking high-paying oil jobs, but the dramatic growth and harsh climate make it a challenging place to call home.