Casselton, ND vs New Salem, ND

New Salem is moderately more affordable than Casselton, with a 9.8% lower cost of living index. Casselton scores 79 compared to 72 for New Salem, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Casselton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Casselton is $764/month compared to $866/month in New Salem — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Casselton has cheaper rent, New Salem actually has lower median home values ($173,400 vs $297,500).

Median household income in Casselton is $68,472 compared to $69,750 in New Salem (-1.8%). New Salem offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Casselton spend roughly 13.4% of their income on rent, less than the 14.9% in New Salem.