Laurel, MT vs Shelby, MT

Shelby is moderately more affordable than Laurel, with a 9.3% lower cost of living index. Laurel scores 80 compared to 73 for Shelby, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Laurel can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Laurel is $953/month compared to $769/month in Shelby — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shelby is more affordable at $206,000 median vs $232,700.

Median household income in Laurel is $66,382 compared to $53,357 in Shelby (+24.4%). While Laurel is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Laurel spend roughly 17.2% of their income on rent, less than the 17.3% in Shelby.

Climate-wise, Laurel is notably warmer with an average of 48.2°F compared to 41.8°F in Shelby. Laurel receives more rainfall at 14.3" per year compared to 10.8" in Shelby.