Madison, NE vs Shelby, NE

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Shelby is 16.4% cheaper than Madison. 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 Madison should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Madison is $818/month compared to $521/month in Shelby — a 57% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shelby is more affordable at $112,200 median vs $116,000.

Median household income in Madison is $56,932 compared to $75,795 in Shelby (-24.9%). 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 Madison spend roughly 17.2% 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 49.2°F in Madison. Shelby receives more rainfall at 29.3" per year compared to 27" in Madison.