Hartington, NE vs Shelby, NE

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Shelby is 16.9% cheaper than Hartington. With a cost index of 57 vs 66, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Shelby to Hartington should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hartington is $685/month compared to $521/month in Shelby — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shelby is more affordable at $112,200 median vs $169,000.

Median household income in Hartington is $78,304 compared to $75,795 in Shelby (+3.3%). Hartington does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Hartington spend roughly 10.5% of their income on rent, more than the 8.2% in Shelby.

Climate-wise, Shelby is notably warmer with an average of 52.3°F compared to 48.7°F in Hartington. Shelby receives more rainfall at 29.3" per year compared to 28.7" in Hartington.