Seeley Lake, MT vs Shelby, MT

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Shelby is 18.4% cheaper than Seeley Lake. With a cost index of 73 vs 86, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Shelby to Seeley Lake should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Seeley Lake is $1,028/month compared to $769/month in Shelby — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shelby is more affordable at $206,000 median vs $270,400.

Median household income in Seeley Lake is $46,031 compared to $53,357 in Shelby (-13.7%). Shelby offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Seeley Lake spend roughly 26.8% of their income on rent, more than the 17.3% in Shelby.

Climate-wise, Seeley Lake is notably warmer with an average of 45.2°F compared to 41.8°F in Shelby. Seeley Lake receives more rainfall at 14.1" per year compared to 10.8" in Shelby.