Lewistown, MT vs Shelby, MT

Lewistown, MT and Shelby, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.1% difference in their overall index. Lewistown scores 73 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 Lewistown is $896/month compared to $769/month in Shelby — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Shelby has cheaper rent, Lewistown actually has lower median home values ($159,500 vs $206,000).

Median household income in Lewistown is $44,195 compared to $53,357 in Shelby (-17.2%). Shelby offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lewistown spend roughly 24.3% of their income on rent, more than the 17.3% in Shelby.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (43.1°F vs 41.8°F). Lewistown receives more rainfall at 17.2" per year compared to 10.8" in Shelby.