Hazen, ND vs Shell Valley, ND

The cost of living difference between Hazen, ND and Shell Valley, ND is dramatic. Shell Valley is 63.6% cheaper than Hazen, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hazen has a cost index of 77 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 Hazen is $989/month compared to $377/month in Shell Valley — a 162% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shell Valley is more affordable at $55,200 median vs $189,300.

Median household income in Hazen is $72,094 compared to $43,281 in Shell Valley (+66.6%). While Hazen is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hazen spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, more than the 10.5% in Shell Valley.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (40.9°F vs 40.2°F). Shell Valley receives more rainfall at 20" per year compared to 17.8" in Hazen.