Malcom, IA vs Shelby, IA

Malcom is moderately more affordable than Shelby, with a 14.4% lower cost of living index. Malcom scores 61 compared to 72 for Shelby, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Shelby can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Malcom is $675/month compared to $872/month in Shelby — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Malcom is more affordable at $110,100 median vs $156,300.

Median household income in Malcom is $73,056 compared to $60,333 in Shelby (+21.1%). Malcom offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Malcom spend roughly 11.1% of their income on rent, less than the 17.3% in Shelby.

Climate-wise, Shelby is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 47.7°F in Malcom. Malcom receives more rainfall at 32.8" per year compared to 31.9" in Shelby.