Evergreen, MT vs Shelby, MT

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Shelby is 22.9% cheaper than Evergreen. With a cost index of 73 vs 89, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Shelby to Evergreen should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Evergreen is $1,140/month compared to $769/month in Shelby — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shelby is more affordable at $206,000 median vs $271,700.

Median household income in Evergreen is $73,015 compared to $53,357 in Shelby (+36.8%). While Evergreen is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Evergreen spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, more than the 17.3% in Shelby.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (39.5°F vs 41.8°F). Evergreen receives more rainfall at 26.1" per year compared to 10.8" in Shelby.