Montpelier, ID vs Shelley, ID

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Montpelier is 26% cheaper than Shelley. With a cost index of 67 vs 90, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Montpelier to Shelley should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Montpelier is $639/month compared to $1,212/month in Shelley — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Montpelier is more affordable at $185,600 median vs $267,200.

Median household income in Montpelier is $52,212 compared to $63,864 in Shelley (-18.2%). The higher salaries in Shelley partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Montpelier spend roughly 14.7% of their income on rent, less than the 22.8% in Shelley.