Bonner-West Riverside, MT vs Shelby, MT

Bonner-West Riverside, MT and Shelby, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.5% difference in their overall index. Bonner-West Riverside scores 75 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 Bonner-West Riverside is $939/month compared to $769/month in Shelby — a 22% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Shelby has cheaper rent, Bonner-West Riverside actually has lower median home values ($162,100 vs $206,000).

Median household income in Bonner-West Riverside is $59,609 compared to $53,357 in Shelby (+11.7%). While Bonner-West Riverside is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bonner-West Riverside spend roughly 18.9% of their income on rent, more than the 17.3% in Shelby.