Barberton, OH vs Shelby, OH

Shelby is moderately more affordable than Barberton, with a 7.4% lower cost of living index. Barberton scores 66 compared to 62 for Shelby, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Barberton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Barberton is $794/month compared to $724/month in Shelby — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shelby is more affordable at $117,300 median vs $120,100.

Median household income in Barberton is $48,943 compared to $52,760 in Shelby (-7.2%). Shelby offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Barberton spend roughly 19.5% of their income on rent, more than the 16.5% in Shelby.