Dunn, NC vs Shelby, NC

Dunn is moderately more affordable than Shelby, with a 7.9% lower cost of living index. Dunn scores 70 compared to 77 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 Dunn is $780/month compared to $899/month in Shelby — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dunn is more affordable at $178,900 median vs $185,400.

Median household income in Dunn is $47,310 compared to $50,705 in Shelby (-6.7%). The higher salaries in Shelby partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Dunn spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, less than the 21.3% in Shelby.