Choteau, MT vs Shelby, MT

Choteau, MT and Shelby, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Choteau scores 70 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 Choteau is $713/month compared to $769/month in Shelby — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Choteau is more affordable at $194,900 median vs $206,000.

Median household income in Choteau is $53,929 compared to $53,357 in Shelby (+1.1%). Choteau offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Choteau spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, less than the 17.3% in Shelby.