Miles City, MT vs Shelby, MT

Miles City, MT and Shelby, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.2% difference in their overall index. Miles City scores 76 while Shelby scores 73 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 Miles City is $932/month compared to $769/month in Shelby — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Shelby has cheaper rent, Miles City actually has lower median home values ($182,700 vs $206,000).

Median household income in Miles City is $60,732 compared to $53,357 in Shelby (+13.8%). While Miles City is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Miles City spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, more than the 17.3% in Shelby.

Climate-wise, Miles City is notably warmer with an average of 46.2°F compared to 41.8°F in Shelby. Miles City receives more rainfall at 12.9" per year compared to 10.8" in Shelby.