Mallard, IA vs Shelby, IA

Mallard is moderately more affordable than Shelby, with a 5.1% lower cost of living index. Mallard scores 68 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 Mallard is $1,042/month compared to $872/month in Shelby — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Shelby has cheaper rent, Mallard actually has lower median home values ($55,400 vs $156,300).

Median household income in Mallard is $44,625 compared to $60,333 in Shelby (-26%). While Shelby is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Mallard spend roughly 28% of their income on rent, more than the 17.3% in Shelby.

Climate-wise, Shelby is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 46.8°F in Mallard. Shelby receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 26.8" in Mallard.