Denver, IA vs Shelby, IA

Denver, IA and Shelby, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Denver scores 73 while Shelby scores 72 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 Denver is $788/month compared to $872/month in Shelby — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Denver has cheaper rent, Shelby actually has lower median home values ($156,300 vs $221,100).

Median household income in Denver is $90,156 compared to $60,333 in Shelby (+49.4%). While Denver is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Denver spend roughly 10.5% of their income on rent, less than the 17.3% in Shelby.