Boulder, MT vs Shelby, MT

Boulder is moderately more affordable than Shelby, with a 5% lower cost of living index. Boulder scores 69 compared to 73 for Shelby, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Shelby can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Boulder is $692/month compared to $769/month in Shelby — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Boulder is more affordable at $194,800 median vs $206,000.

Median household income in Boulder is $61,250 compared to $53,357 in Shelby (+14.8%). Boulder offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Boulder spend roughly 13.6% of their income on rent, less than the 17.3% in Shelby.