Burlington, NC vs Shelby, NC

Burlington, NC and Shelby, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.5% difference in their overall index. Burlington scores 79 while Shelby scores 77 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 Burlington is $1,030/month compared to $899/month in Shelby — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shelby is more affordable at $185,400 median vs $188,700.

Median household income in Burlington is $54,941 compared to $50,705 in Shelby (+8.4%). While Burlington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Burlington spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, more than the 21.3% in Shelby.