Fort Benton, MT vs Shelby, MT

Fort Benton, MT and Shelby, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Fort Benton scores 72 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 Fort Benton is $745/month compared to $769/month in Shelby — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Benton is more affordable at $201,900 median vs $206,000.

Median household income in Fort Benton is $67,171 compared to $53,357 in Shelby (+25.9%). Fort Benton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Benton spend roughly 13.3% of their income on rent, less than the 17.3% in Shelby.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (44.6°F vs 41.8°F). Fort Benton receives more rainfall at 14.8" per year compared to 10.8" in Shelby.