Atkins, IA vs Shelby, IA

Atkins, IA and Shelby, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Atkins scores 74 while Shelby scores 72 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Atkins is $585/month compared to $872/month in Shelby — a 33% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Atkins has cheaper rent, Shelby actually has lower median home values ($156,300 vs $302,600).

Median household income in Atkins is $115,625 compared to $60,333 in Shelby (+91.6%). While Atkins is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Atkins spend roughly 6.1% of their income on rent, less than the 17.3% in Shelby.