Scranton, ND vs Shell Valley, ND

The cost of living difference between Scranton, ND and Shell Valley, ND is dramatic. Shell Valley is 35.2% cheaper than Scranton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Scranton has a cost index of 63 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 Scranton is $775/month compared to $377/month in Shell Valley — a 106% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shell Valley is more affordable at $55,200 median vs $109,700.

Median household income in Scranton is $91,250 compared to $43,281 in Shell Valley (+110.8%). While Scranton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Scranton spend roughly 10.2% of their income on rent, less than the 10.5% in Shell Valley.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (42.3°F vs 40.2°F). Shell Valley receives more rainfall at 20" per year compared to 14.3" in Scranton.