Middleton, ID vs Shelley, ID

Middleton, ID and Shelley, ID have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.2% difference in their overall index. Middleton scores 94 while Shelley scores 90 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 Middleton is $1,077/month compared to $1,212/month in Shelley — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Middleton has cheaper rent, Shelley actually has lower median home values ($267,200 vs $348,900).

Median household income in Middleton is $83,681 compared to $63,864 in Shelley (+31%). While Middleton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Middleton spend roughly 15.4% of their income on rent, less than the 22.8% in Shelley.