Casselton, ND vs Shell Valley, ND

The cost of living difference between Casselton, ND and Shell Valley, ND is dramatic. Shell Valley is 67.8% cheaper than Casselton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Casselton has a cost index of 79 while Shell Valley sits at 47, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Casselton is $764/month compared to $377/month in Shell Valley — a 103% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shell Valley is more affordable at $55,200 median vs $297,500.

Median household income in Casselton is $68,472 compared to $43,281 in Shell Valley (+58.2%). The higher salaries in Casselton partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Casselton spend roughly 13.4% of their income on rent, more than the 10.5% in Shell Valley.