Baker, MT vs Shelby, MT

Baker, MT and Shelby, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Baker scores 72 while Shelby scores 73 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 Baker is $772/month compared to $769/month in Shelby — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Shelby has cheaper rent, Baker actually has lower median home values ($198,800 vs $206,000).

Median household income in Baker is $78,971 compared to $53,357 in Shelby (+48%). Baker offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Baker spend roughly 11.7% of their income on rent, less than the 17.3% in Shelby.