Plentywood, MT vs Shelby, MT

Plentywood is moderately more affordable than Shelby, with a 7% lower cost of living index. Plentywood scores 68 compared to 73 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 Plentywood is $755/month compared to $769/month in Shelby — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Plentywood is more affordable at $148,800 median vs $206,000.

Median household income in Plentywood is $62,163 compared to $53,357 in Shelby (+16.5%). Plentywood offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Plentywood spend roughly 14.6% of their income on rent, less than the 17.3% in Shelby.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (41.6°F vs 41.8°F). Plentywood receives more rainfall at 13.7" per year compared to 10.8" in Shelby.