Livingston, MT vs Shelby, MT

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Shelby is 25.1% cheaper than Livingston. With a cost index of 73 vs 91, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Shelby to Livingston should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Livingston is $987/month compared to $769/month in Shelby — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shelby is more affordable at $206,000 median vs $348,700.

Median household income in Livingston is $65,187 compared to $53,357 in Shelby (+22.2%). The higher salaries in Livingston partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Livingston spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, more than the 17.3% in Shelby.

Climate-wise, Livingston is notably warmer with an average of 45.5°F compared to 41.8°F in Shelby. Livingston receives more rainfall at 14.5" per year compared to 10.8" in Shelby.